Sarana Special needs home - Stephanie’s Bday Fundraiser

A special project for a very special set of children at Uhana Special needs home just after the season of Avurudu

When you drive past Siyabalanduwa in the Monaragala district you cut across to Ampara district and as you drive further north there is a small village called Uhana. The Sarana children’s home is the only one large home present for the entire district and and therefore we didn’t have much trouble getting people to help us find it. It was formed 42 years back and there are children who has been living there since it’s formation..

Since the initiation of the project the person in charge of the home, Ms. Nilmini has been a great point of contact to Pramila, our volunteer. She has been working at the home for over 11 years and treat the children as her own. She provided us estimates and essential needs with such care and thoughtfulness which made the project an utmost success. The list included cupboards, bed, mattress, tv stand, chairs, rations, clean supplies, household materials, fans, glass for broken windows.

The best part of the event was the hand off of gifts to the children. Such care was given that each child got what they always wanted. A child who was cradling an imaginary baby got a doll. Children who went to special needs school got school bags, children who like fragrances got lotion, perfume etc. It was like opening gifts on Christmas morning.. the smiles on these faces were worth the 6.30hr drive from Colombo.

A complete meal with lunch, ice cream and cake was given to the children as part of the event. The children sang songs as they pleased and tried to make conversation as little as they could. Each child is unique and one of the nicest things about them is their genuineness and always looking out for their friends and fellow children. Everyone is willing to offer their portion of food or gifts to their friends without any hesitation. Such beautiful souls and for a couple hours it was great to be part of their life.

The funding for this initiative was completely through a Birthday fundraiser by Stephanie De Silva who was determined to find a rural home with low facilities and in need of basic infrastructure and support to function. And we believe we provided them more than what was originally planned.

Special thanks to Pramila Pulochana Silva from volunteer Sri Lanka for the initial and continuing coordination effort with the home. Also to everyone who donated for this worthy cause. Especially to @Stephanie De Silva and her friends and family

for raising a large amount of money for a cause that would be remembered by them for many more years to come and one of your birthdays that’s equally remembered