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| Sunday, 29 May 2005 |
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A mother's love by Lakmal Welabada
After a typical sibling fight, little Sumudu (4) and Tharushi (5) ran to their 'mother' complaining. Both have a lot to say about each other's faults. Their 'mother' cuddles them close, while patiently listening to their woes. That she isn't their real mother, is of little consequence to, Mahagoda Sumetta Meniyo (Bhikkuni) who at this moment is all that a mother could be to not only Sumudu and Tharushi, but to many more like them. In fact, over the past two decades, Sumetta Meniyo has been 'mother' to 211 orphans, at her Buddhist Bhikkuni monastery cum children's home, called Yasodara Balika Nivasaya (Yasodara Girls Home) at Attidiya, Ratmalana. At present 55 orphans reside at the Home. But except for Sumudu and Tharushi all are adolescents. "The children are studying at Sunethradevi Vidyalaya, Pepiliyana and Buddhist Balika Vidyalaya, Mount Lavinia. We are doing our best to make them stand on their own feet," says the Meniyo. "Most of the orphans have been deprived of early childhood education due to poverty and their orphaned status. We send them to tuition classes for subjects they are weak", she says explaining that some of them are very clever and that the Home tries to provide the best facilities to them to further their education. Surangi and Shiromi are two such clever former residents who are now doing Computer Studies and a Nursing Degree in New Zealand. The scholarships were sponsored by well wishers from all over the world.
Sumetta Meniyo became a Bhikkuni in 1957, when she was ten years. "I lost my father when I was seven, and it was a big blow to my life as I was very close to him," recalls Sumetta Meniyo. The youngest of five, it was her mother who inspired the Meniyo and her siblings into being ardent Buddhists. Later, her mother also became a Bhikkuni. "She is still living," says the Meniyo, adding, "I've loved children since I was young. As I had to separate from my parents when I was a child due to my father's death and then became a nun, I feel the agony of a little heart that looses parents. Hence I try my best and give a 'mother's love' to 'my children'. I know they will not be a burden, to society nor to themselves," she says. Sumitta Meniyo's mission to provide a loving and caring home for girls orphaned and left destitute began with an article titled apata pilisaranak nedda in a Sinhala weekly. The story was about a group of children orphaned at Wan Ela, Kantale in Trincomalee, as a consequence of the North-East war. Sumitta Meniyo, who after finishing her higher studies (she has done all the examinations connected with Buddhism conducted by the government of Sri Lanka) was running a Silmatha Adyapana Peetaya (Bhikkuni Educational Centre) at Govikam Place (Yasorapura today), Attidiya, Ratmalana in a plot of land which she rented from her mother, and at that time she read the article and decided to visit the orphans. On visiting a home for orphan girls and seeing the neglect, she wanted to do something for them. The Government Agent offices had been of immense help and had wanted her to take the children immediately. But, she could not do so, until she prepared the home to accommodate them. "The children had been in poor condition both mentally and physically, some had sores and some had rashes," says the Meniyo grateful to her fellow Buddhist nuns and women in the neighbourhood of Govikam Place (Yasorapura) who helped her bathe and clean the girls. Nelson Silva, a hotelier had fed the children for a year and provided linen from the hotel. Her visit to the States in 1996 opened many doors for her to spread the Dhamma in the States and also procure aid for the orphans. Now a frequent visitor, she says she has many American friends from among those who seek spiritual upliftment in their lives through Buddhism. "I am very happy to help them. In return, they also help me in many ways," she says. Former President Premadasa had provided water and electricity to the place. Many donors helped build the place into what it is today. Nearly 146 girls benefitted and have now left the home, which now has 55 girls. Though the Meniyo isn't their biological mother, she considers all the orphans as her children. She becomes emotional when talking of the girls, who have no one to call their own. Everyone is trained to cook, sew and do all the other womanly chores. They are also taught English by volunteers. Today, Yasodara Balika Nivasaya has not only orphans from the war, but also girls who are orphaned due to poverty and those who have single parents. Sumetta Meniyo now waits to set up a separate children's home for tsunami orphans with the help of her American friends. Feeding, clothing and educating 55 girls is not an easy task. The Home still doesn't have a permanent income, but runs with the support of donors and well wishers'. The Home has come a long way. "We faced many obstacles. Once the power was cut, and 'the children' had to study with the light of bottle lamps. The Base Commanders of the Ratmalana Air Force camp helped by turning their flash lights towards the Home at night and donated a patromax lamp," she recalls. Today, five Buddhist nuns including Bhikkuni Anita Chitta, a Black American Buddhist nun and other office staff and volunteers help Sumetta Meniyo to run the Home, the Children's Nursery, Children's Dhamma School and the Temple at Yasorapura, Attidiya, Ratmalana. |
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