“We are very grateful for this help. God bless you.” Sirisena’s words reflect the abject poverty that he, and many other poor Sri Lankan Christians, experience.
Sirisena – who lost his income from selling vegetables amid Sri Lanka’s economic crisis – received chickens and vegetable seeds funded by Barnabas Aid supporters to enable him to support himself and his wife and father, who have health problems.
Sirisena’s was one of 286 Christian families in acute need who received this help package. Another 2,000 Christian families suffering because of the crisis were given Barnabas-funded food packages. These packages contained rice, lentils, wheat flour, soya meat, salt, chili powder, sugar, potatoes, tinned fish, cooking oil, onions, washing powder and soap.
Sirisena cares for his growing Barnabas-funded chicks
This project is one of several funded by Barnabas in Sri Lanka in recent years, particularly during the current economic crisis.
The crisis is the worst that Sri Lanka has suffered for decades. The cost of food was 54% higher in February 2023 than in February 2022. Fuel and energy shortages are so severe that the schools have been closed and hospitals are struggling to function.
Christians make up 8% of the population. They are one of the most disadvantaged groups in Sri Lanka.
Give thanks for the provision of aid to our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters. Pray that the aid will have a transforming effect on Christians’ lives and that they will be enabled to support themselves effectively. Ask the Lord to strengthen His Church in Sri Lanka in spiritual and physical health as they face the ongoing economic crisis.
