Anyone visit an Orphanage while in Sri Lanka???-Want to help if we can
 

We have always brought duffel bags of clothes, school supplies, over the counter medical supplies and other things when we have gone to Africa the last three years. I do not know what the situation is in Sri Lanka with children and has anyone ever done this as part of their trip.

Mohammed, one of our regular posters here lives in Sri Lanka and I'm sure could he helpful in suggesting what makes sense. I hope he will see your post.

There are several such orphanages/homes dotted around the Sri Lanka, and depending on where you will be travelling to I could suggest a few places. Two that I can mention along the Southern coastline are

1. Kuda Kusum Orphanage in Tangalle which caters mainly to Tsunami orphans, run by the church, but caters to children of all races/religions. Contact the sister in charge on +94 47 224 0398.

2. Rainbow Center in Bentota, it was originally set up as a Tsunami orphanage but now runs as a street childrens activity center and day care. The Rainbow Center is run by and English lady one Alison Nagle who survived the Tsunami when she was holidaying in Sri Lanka on that fateful morning of 26th Dec 2001. She came back and set up this home. Contact the Principal Miss Aruni in Sri Lanka on +94 77 910 5017, or Alison in UK on +44 (781) 088 0731, or visit http://www.rainbowcentresrilanka.com/

3. Another worthy organization that helps needy children on the tea plantations is The Tea Leaf Trust, see http://www.tealeaftrust.com/Summer_Newsletter_2011.pdf or contact the resident program director Mr Tim Pare on +94 71 5330424.

I have been personally involved in facilitating the setting up of these plus many other projects as Director of Community Services with the Rotary Club of Colombo and several Rotary Districts and Clubs from the UK, USA, Germany and Australia have assisted us with many of these projects. These include the Rotary Clubs of Hastings, Wareham, Cowes, Sandown in The Isle of Wight, D1110 in the UK, Miami Dadeland, FL , and Birmingham AL in USA. I feel I have a fairly close ear to the ground and would like to suggest that you do not bring old clothes, over the counter medicines, school bags etc. Clothes, bags etc are in fact made in Sri Lanka and exported to many countries. These are all available here. Instead try to give them food. Basic staple food which you can buy from a local grocery store like a bulk bag of rice costs US$ 50 for 50kg or yellow dhall (lentils) costs about US$ 100 for 50kg. Milk powder is highly valued too. You can buy these from any grocery store in any small town in Sri Lanka. Many homes have difficulty meeting the basic costs of daily food and if you can help with this it will go a long way preventing some kid sleeping on a hungry stomach.

Thanks, Mohammed, I knew you could help with this question.

Thanks Mohammed- I really appreciate the suggestions

Hi Mohammed,

I was wondering if you could help me? Im in SL next week staying in Matara and have just called the Kuda Kusum Orphanage in Tangalle, there was a little bit of a language barrier and I have never visited an orphanage before so I was wondering if it is ok just to go up and see the children, the lady on the phone said it was but considering the distance I will travel I want to make sure im not missing out on any protocol.

And advice would be great, thanks
C

Hi I just called and spoke with the Kuda Kusum home, person in charge to speak to is Sister Victorine, she will be available later this evening after 7pm Sri Lanka time, suggest you call and speak to her on the number given above. Always better to make an appointment before going and also ascertain any specific current needs before making random donations.

Orphanages are not zoos! If you wish to make a donation, rather that just admiring or playing with poor kids, arrange it in advance.

If you are thinking of bringing things from home to donate to charities abroad, you might read this:

http://goodintents.org/core-posts/do...goods-overseas

That's not to say you can't donate to the poor. Just consider getting specific requests from the recipients and buying locally.

I'm not sure if this is too late or not, but there is a transit home for children outpatients of a cancer hospital in Maharagama. It is maybe an hour away from Colombo?...
The kids there do enjoy visitors and are in need of toys. It's called the CCC House, and their website is: http://cccfoundation.org.au/ccc-house1/

The Childrens cancer hospital in Maharagama is a sad and pitiful place that needs help, probably the best thing you could do is to help with your love and human touch. The parents of children afflicted with cancer also need help as they struggle to cope. I am aware that they have stopped allowing gifts of food such as biscuits etc because they had some problems but toys should be okay. Please see this web site

http://www.ncisl.lk/contact.php

and do speak to Dr Kaniska Karunarathana - he is a very helpful and committed person.

Hi guys,
Have a quick question! I am heading to Colombo in a few weeks with a suitcase of school supplies. Im not sure of my itinery and cannot guarantee that I will be able to get to a village school. Does anyone know of a school in Colombo city that needs school supplies desperately and would I need to contact these in advance or just drop them off. Also what would be the best things to bring? These will be coming from a school so food etc is not an option. Maybe Mohammad could help with this? Thanks in advance!

Hi All,


By chance, while visiting a village in Polonnaruwa, I get to know about this orphanage from the villagers: Bosath Balika Lama Niwasaya. The Madame hopes for in-kind donations of old clothes, toys, books etc for the children. This orphanage is not well-known to the public because it is not easy to go there. The Madame cannot speak English and the orphanage does not have Internet, and so she has requested my help to create a simple website for their orphanage: www.srilankachildren.com.

ifzzz, many thanks for sharing. we are visting the area in Feb and was looking for an orphanage to donate to. also so nice of you to set up the website.

I see that most comments refer to Orphanages in the South of Sri Lanka. Does anybody have experience or know of Orphanages in Jaffna? We represent a UK Charity and would like to build up a relationship with an Orphanage in Jaffna, with financial and other help that may be needed. Any comments appreciated.

Watch for Mohammed to reply. He lives in Sri Lanka.

Hi HWinkler and yes the need in Jaffna and the North is very much there. I am involved with a quite a few charitable projects in Sri Lanka focusing on economic and community development, basic education and literacy especially basic English, clean drinking water etc. Almost all the work I do is done with the Rotary Club of Colombo (I have links with a few UK Charities who have worked with us in the past and still continue to work with us today.

Tanks to Kathie and Mohammed. Although I myself am a Rotarian too, and I know of the work that Rotary Club of Colombo is doing, I would NOT wish to go through Rotary Club of Colombo. Nothing personal about this, it is just, that we would dearly like to strike up a relationship with an Orphanage or small school in Jaffna, where we can help direct without having to go through a Rotary Club or other Charity. We can provide Finance and even Manpower if required. Thanks!

Dear Mohammed. I would love the opportunity to volunteer in local institutions looking after children in Sri Lanka in the new year. I was wondering if you would know where I could offer my services. Many thanks in advance!