As a volunteer humantarian who was born in Sri Lanka amidst the armed conflict, her return to her homeland was marked by feelings of fear and apprehension

A witness, who was involved in the armed conflict as a young person by setting up barricades and performing other tasks typically required of children living in the occupied territories during the early stages of the conflict.

Brother and Sister team – One was born in Sri Lanka, and the other in Canada. Both use their art and participation in their student councils to advocate for justice and reconciliation

Collins gathers with his mother and two of his four sisters to reflect on the memoirs left behind by their late father. The memoirs were discovered after his father’s passing in 2019. Collins’ father, who was a police officer, had seen the 15 military personnel who were bombed in 1983 that triggered a 26-year-long armed conflict. This encounter took place just moments before the tragic event occurred.

The father’s stories remained undisclosed until his death when his memoirs unveiled the diary of his life. Now, with intimate access to these memoirs, the family shares deeply moving narratives of their firsthand experiences during the prolonged civil unrest and how it profoundly affected their lives.

2nd Generation, 3rd of three boys who along with his eldest brother and their parents helped their middle brother become a doctor (Promise and Pride). Krissan continues to work as a volunteer with Canadian Politicians during their bid for office as he develops his voice as a future civil servant.

A 16-year-old volunteer who worked on the Ontario law Tamil Genocide Education Week that was passed on May 18, 2021.

Nisha is a teacher and political advocate championing the cause for justice and reconciliation. She is a speaker with one of the Tamil action committees at the UN.

Then, the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Jaffna, an advocate for the Tamil cause, is MP Shritharan. He helped Rathika Sitsabaiesan during her initial visit to Sri Lanka in 2013.

At the young age of 5, Maya D’Elia, daughter of Rathika, stands out as the youngest person featured in the RAY OF HOPE documentary. From an early age, Maya has been keenly aware of her mother’s experiences, a sensitivity that allows her to portray both the innocence of youth and the legacy of trauma passed down through generations. Through Maya’s eyes, viewers glimpse the struggle to comprehend the war her mother endured, juxtaposed against her own desire to escape the shadow of that trauma. Maya’s observations reveal not only the personal but also the broader challenge faced by Rathika and others who lived through the conflict in Sri Lanka as children. Their resilience in seeking a better world, despite the harsh realities of their past, is a testament to the human spirit.