Swampscott students exchanging gifts with children in Sri Lanka

SWAMPSCOTT – Most people exchange holiday gifts among family, friends and neighbors but some Swampscott High students are participating in a gift exchange with children in orphanages in Sri Lanka.The project is sponsored by SHS Peer Leaders, a service group at the high school, and is being coordinated by senior Rebecca Ruskin.Ruskin said the project was suggested by SHS teacher Buck Harris, who is the advisor for Peer Leaders.”(Harris) has a friend who works in Sri Lanka with this organization and wanted to know if we’d be interested in this project,” she said. “We have a list of 100 kids and more than half have been chosen.”Ruskin said the children in the orphanages have been through hardships most can’t even imagine, including years of civil war, sexual exploitation and poverty.”These kids are orphans,” she said. “Some were sex slaves and others lost their parents in the (2004) tsunami. The story of these kids is incredible.”Ruskin said remote control cars, teddy bears and dolls were the items most requested by the children, who range in age from 4 years old to 18.Ruskin said the premise of the gift exchange is simple: you choose a child from one of the orphanages and donate a present requested by that child. In return, you receive a small handmade gift from the child you have chosen.The gifts made by children are as unique as the child who made them-wall hangings, clay vases and colorful pictures.Ruskin, who has chosen several children, said she couldn’t wait to see the handmade gifts the children send.”I’m so excited,” she said. “These kids made pictures and other items using whatever they could find.”To provide a gift for one of the children in an orphanage in Sri Lanka, go to www.webstarts.com/srilankakids and choose a child to purchase a gift for. Potential donors can also contact Swampscott High School at 781-596-8830 and leave a message for Buck Harris. Peer Leaders is also accepting financial donations to purchase toys for children who have not been selected yet.