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Volunteer Spotlight
Dr. Alice LoCicero
Boston-based psychologist Alice LoCicero couldn't resist adding days to her recent visit to the Grace Care Center, squeezing more time with the Grace children, staff and elders. This extended visit was in addition to seminars she provided elsewhere in Sri Lanka, arranged through the auspices of the International Medical Health Organization...
Last month’s visit was a return for Alice, who first spent some time at Grace in 2007. Alice has been an active volunteer and consultant for VeAhavta and the programs at the Grace Care Center.
Grace – as with Trincomalee and all of Sri Lanka – has undergone dramatic changes since Alice first visited: Then, the active (and often nearby) conflict made basic survival a challenge; now, in the summer of 2010, a year after the war’s end, recovering from a quarter century of fighting is just beginning.
We asked Alice to share some impressions from her stay at Grace.
As you returned to Trincomalee and the northeast, what were your first impressions of 'change' since your last visit?
There is a lot of creative activity here — repairing, building, and various signs of modernizing and entrepreneurial ventures. The evidence of young people who are immersed in the latest technology is also impressive. There is also something missing: Checkpoints! That makes life a little easier for everyone.
Separate from the national situation, there have been significant changes at the Grace Care Center, to include new management, fewer children living at Grace Home, and the end of VeAhavta's relationship with its one-time partnering church organization. What struck you as having changed the most at Grace?
There continues to be a vibrant young staff here, backed up by some more seasoned leadership. I see the staff working hard to bring the world to Grace Care, and to bring Grace Care to the larger world. For example, today is Sports Day here, and many members of the Trincomalee community accepted invitations to attend. The staff works very hard here, and they continue to be cheerful and there’s a lot of laughter and fun.
The girls benefit greatly from all this, and from the fact that there is now one kitchen and one dining hall, so everyone interacts every day. The communication between Grace Care and the school attended by the children (Methodist Girl’s College) is now well-established, and that is a big plus for the girls as well.
You visited several children's homes this year. How does Grace compare to other, similar homes and programs?
Grace Care Center is a real community, and those entering it with whatever heavy burdens they have can find a place and a way to live that is safe and comfortable, the first condition for recovery. The energy created by the constant stream of visitors paying attention to the girls and elders here is, I think, very important. They know that others care about them and see them as valued individuals with the potential for a good future.
Many of the homes I visited have not had time to build up that sense of community, and do not yet have the visitors that Grace Care has. The centers can take many lessons from Grace Care in that regard
In Sri Lanka, what are some of the reasons for hope, and what problems remain unanswered?
Those who have studied areas affected by war and disaster have noted that the time when rebuilding starts can be the hardest time, as people realize just how far they have to go. I had the strong impression that many in Sri Lanka are assessing the situation in that regard.
On the other hand, that recognition has not prevented people from plunging into the rebuilding, and there are seemingly endless possibilities for those who are ready to move ahead. As peace gradually settles in, there will be new dilemmas, as some are likely to see development of infrastructure and businesses relating to tourism as the highest priority, while others will likely advocate for greater expenditures on social services. This is a dilemma that cannot be easily resolved.
