A Child's Plea

My life here is very difficult. I am only 8 years old, but I have many responsibilities. I have to take care of my little brother and sister, because my mother is always cooking and taking care of our home. My father died in the shelling five years ago. I don't really remember him. I just remember laughing at something funny he said. I was only 3 then, but I remember my mother crying a lot. My auntie came to stay with us. I haven't seen her in a long time. It would be nice for her to come back, because I feel very anxious a lot. I feel I have to help my mother and take care of my siblings, but also that I need to study hard and do well in school. But I don't think I can do both. I think I need help from someone else, but I don't know who to turn to. In school we learned about different organizations like the Red Cross and the United Nations, but I haven't seen them in my area. Supposedly they do a lot of work in Kilinochchi, but since I live in a much more rural village, they don't come to this area. It is very difficult here for me and I hope someday someone will remember to come help the people in this side.

-Getsy Ramalingam, 8 years