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After Rebecca’s father was killed by the 2004 tsunami, her mother had no choice but to take on hard, intense labor to provide for the family. For $2 to $3 a day, Rebecca’s mother would shovel roads, collect garbage along the streets, and clean out storm sewers in a coastal village in eastern Sri Lanka.

The work took a toll on her health, and when she was no longer able to work, Rebecca’s eldest brother dropped out of school to provide for his mother and three siblings.

Their home had been destroyed by the water, and the family was in and out of camps, receiving assistance from the government and aid organizations. Earning enough to make a new start seemed impossible.

But thanks to a Samaritan’s Purse vocational training program, 17-year-old Rebecca has hope for the future. By attending our six-month course, Rebecca will learn basic cooking skills, fabric painting, and sewing.

Thirty students are enrolled in the program and take on projects like painting fabrics and saris that are then sold at a profit in the market. Each woman keeps a portion of the profits and by the end of the course will have enough money to start her own business.

Half of the students are Christians and are encouraged to share their faith with classmates. Rebecca is listening and beginning to respond. She has started attending church and knows that the love she feels from vocational center staff comes from Jesus Christ.

The program has a strong relationship with a church located next door. The church can provide follow-up and discipleship for students like Rebecca once a decision for Christ is made.

“Our prayer is that Rebecca will see the love of God and see the love of Christians,” staff member Elliott McKenzie said, “and the kind of life Jesus gives people.”