Vajira Sri Rehabilitation Home:

Children blessed with tender care

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

The Vajira Sri Rehabilitation Home for Children has at present provided accommodation for 330 inmates.

The acting head of the Home, Rajakeeya Pandith Ven. Hunupolagama Vajiragnana told the Sunday Observer, about the difficulties the children faced when their dormitory was inundated with water during the recent downpour.

There are 160 boys, 126 girls and 45 infants who have been provided with shelter at Ananda Balika Mawatha, Pagoda Road, Pitakotte.

The Home was established in 1983 on the initiative of the Prelate in charge of the Thevava special religious ritual at the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Ven. Dr. Hunupolagama Vajira Sri Nayaka Thera. The majority of inmates are victims of ethnic violence in the North and East of the country, and the rest are reformed youngsters on Court orders by the Department of Child Care and Probation Service.

Explaining about the Home, the Thera said, due to the lack of a proper drainage scheme the buildings get inundated, when the Diyawanna Oya overflows. Further, the canal flowing around the orphanage needs dredging and made clear to enable a smooth flow of water.

The Thera added that the increase in the number of inmates escalated the problems. Donations have declined, he lamented.

As a government approved institution Indhasara School functions inside the orphanage with a roll of 260 students. The biggest problem faced in the administration is payment of salaries to the teaching staff.

Facilities have been provided for children to attend the Dhamma school services on Sunday the Thera added. The Education Department provides uniforms and textbooks to students who could study until they are 16 years of age. Over that age, the vocational training centres have been made available for them.

Fibreglass production

Boys could follow courses on fibreglass production, bathroom fittings production, moulding, etc., while the girls could make their choice from courses such as beauty culture, sewing, cookery, etc. Other courses are conducted within the house premises and the premises of the Colombo area.

The Thera proudly claims that some of the inmates were able to go for higher education and become doctors, engineers and other professionals. Resources of both finances and materials are totally inadequate to provide advanced education. The situation could be ameliorated with healthy donations from philanthropists.

The daily food bill amounts to Rs. 25,000 and the monthly working staff salaries amount to Rs. 16,000. This is in addition to electricity, telephone and water bills which cost approximately Rs. 45,000 per month.

Donations are specifically needed for providing dry food rations, school stationery and renovation to the existing building complex, the Thera appealed.

The Thera very much stressed on the urgent need for a medical clinic with voluntary services from medical personnel.

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