Case studies: former SOS child from Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Kapila from Sri Lanka was always sure of one thing. He loved to cook and all he wanted to do in life was to be a chef. He talent and followed his heart

In 1985 a shy eight-year-old boy arrived at the SOS Children's Village in Nuwara Eliya - a hill town lying 1800 meters up in the cool, mountainous heart of Sri Lanka. He had been moved there from another children's home. "When I first came to this SOS Children's Village, I thought I would have to move again before too long," he recalls. "I was so happy to learn that I could stay here until I grew up!"

Now 29, Kapila regards his SOS mother as a major influence on him as a young boy. Sheila Ramasinghe, an excellent cook, is still an SOS mother of ten at the children's village. Kapila could often be found in the kitchen, watching and helping her as she concocted tasty rice and curries.

For starters...

Mr Divakar, assistant director turned director of SOS Children's Village Nuwara Eliya, remembers Kapila as a young teenager in the SOS Youth House. "I always had to tell him to return to the study table and do his homework, but every time I left the room I returned to find Kapila in the kitchen. Cooking! One day he told me, 'Uncle, I'm sorry but I really don't want to go to school now. I want to work as a cook.' That's when I knew Kapila had to follow his heart."

And so, he started on his own path doing something he truly loved.

He found work at a beer shop in town where he learned how to make 'bites'. These are spicy Sri Lankan snacks like 'deviled' (flavoured with chilli) meats, prawns and potato chips traditionally served with beer. He was just over 16 at the time and eager to learn. He worked hard to perfect the art of making a whole range of 'bites' for over five years. His cheerful nature and keen interest made him popular with the customers and his manager alike.

"Even now, whenever Kapila walks into town he pays his former boss a visit and cooks him a soup, making him happy! Recently he sent one of his famous puddings to my house," says Mr Divakar. "He uses his own initiative to come up with unique ways to prepare dishes - especially as we don't have an oven here."

A great role model

Kapila has proven himself as a terrific role model for the children at SOS Children's Village Nuwara Eliya. Others have already been inspired by him. An SOS boy called Gehan now works part-time at a local bakery after Kapila sparked his interest in cookery. Chumley, another young man who has followed in his footsteps, has found work in the kitchens of a local guesthouse.

From 22 to 27 August 2006, Nuwara Eliya hosted a holiday camp for children from all five SOS Children's Villages in Sri Lanka. Kapila took time off work to cook for the 125 SOS children who came to take part. "The kids were so happy to have Kapila cooking for them," says Mr Divakar. "He's very popular with them all - and he is also a talented actor! He won first place in a drama competition held at the camp."

Kapila realised early on that academics were not for him. However, he knew what he was interested in and worked hard to achieve his dreams. He now cooks at a good hotel an hour away from the village and is still very happy doing what he loves the most.

"I've told Kapila," says Mr Divakar, "that he will have to work harder than others to reach greater heights due to his poor reading and writing skills. But he does work hard and is dedicated. He has set a good example to other children who may find themselves in his shoes."

Despite the challenges, his personality, focus and spirit will ensure that he goes far in life.

SOS Children has been working in the country since 1982 and has three unique children's villages caring for over 500 orphaned children in Sri Lanka and supporting thousands more in the community through projects like schools, social centres and vocational training centres.

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