Getachew Visits Sri Lanka for the First Time: Karu’s Untired Golden Hands, From Nothing to Silver Medalist on Wood Arts.

Getachew Sale, a PBF coordinator for Ethiopia, made his first trip to Sri Lanka  together with Dr. Peter Bachmann to see PBF projects. He had the opportunity to find another PBF fruit in Sri Lanka, an island nation. He wrote a report about the PBF support for Karu arts in Sri Lanka as follows:

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island, and everyone should visit and talk about its history, culture, art, and religious philosophy, such as Buddhism. Among them, I was impressed by the skill and dedication of Karu, a talented wood artist who transformed from nothing to a silver medal-winning craftsman with his untired golden hands.

He started his daily life by working in the woodworking arts. Unfortunately, the tsunami in Sri Lanka resulted in his losing all of his art gallery stocks and his house in 2004. He was left with only a pair of clothing for his twin sons as a result of that natural disaster.

PBF’s eyes are constantly observing people who lack courage and are losing hope. PBF has helped him to resume his work and has made an effort to meet his needs in Bobella, Matale district. Despite the devastation, Karu did not give up and continued to hone his craft, eventually gaining recognition for his intricate wood carvings. His resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to others facing adversity, showing that with hard work and perseverance, one can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.

Karu’s dedication to his craft and his journey from humble beginnings to recognition as a skilled craftsman is truly inspiring. His story is a testament to the power of passion and hard work in achieving success in the world of art and craftsmanship.

He can now show the world his amazing talent in his own workshop. Karu’s story is a testament to the power of art and perseverance in transforming lives, and it was truly inspiring to witness firsthand during my visit to Sri Lanka.

God bless PBF, which provides support to individuals facing hardships and challenges and helps them realize their dreams.

Getachew Sale
PBF coordinator for Ethiopia