CTV Calgary's Karen Owen went with a team from World Vision to Sri Lanka to meet some of the people who have benefitted from its programs and even more who need our help.
In part two of her series, Karen meets a family living in poverty in a home made from palm leaves.
After 26 years, the civil war in Sri Lanka ended in 2009 but the healing continues.
Up to 100,000 people died and many others were injured.
The injured included former soldiers, who once injured, were let go from the army with no pension or assistance.
Kamal was wounded in the war after he was shot in the head and foot.
He suffers chronic headaches and memory loss and sometimes the pain is so bad, he goes off alone until it subsides.
The family can't afford the pain medication and there is no pension for former soldiers.
When he's feels well enough, Kamal tries to find work, but there are few jobs in the area.
It is a constant struggle to find enough money for food and clothing for the family of five.
"These days vegetables are expensive, but I haven't even been to the market to tell you the truth, but I make sure the children aren't hungry and that they do have something to eat, all three meals," said mother, Thushari.
The family lives in a home made of palm leaves and mud and that does not offer a lot of protection from the monsoon rains.
At one point, Thushari considered going overseas as a domestic servant.
Instead the eldest daughter 12-year-old Priyangika volunteered to live with an aunt to make things a little easier on her parents.
The hope for all three daughters is an education and a better life.
"I wouldn't even mind going begging if I can give an education to my three daughters," said Thushari.
Education is free but children can't go to school without uniforms and books and that costs money.
Dinusha, 7, has been able to go to school and says she wants to be a teacher one day.
World Vision hopes to find a sponsor family for Dinusha and hundreds of other children just like her.
So far, World Vision says it has had 213 new sponsorships from Calgary residents and 247 from people in Edmonton.
For more information on the Alberta campaign, visit the World Vision website.
