A friendship that grows beyond prison bars
The slogan on the wall stretching down Baseline Road reads “Prisoners are Human Beings”. Little by little, the queue trickles in. Organised by Friends of Prisoners’ Children, the event on the sunny morning of February 8, is an annual one where the children of inmates and their families are allowed to visit their parents serving time in prison. This day, along with Vesak Poya, marks the only time where the inmates can meet and be with their families, if only for a few precious hours.
Lining up: Children waiting to get their NSB accounts. Pic by Shewantha Rodrigo
Inside the impenetrable iron gates of Welikada Prison, it is a hum of activity and excitement. In the middle of the prison courtyard is a large tent set up for the families while the small stage in front is a platform for the inmates to showcase their artistic skills with traditional dancing and singing.
The Friends of Prisoners’ Children was begun by Sr. Immaculate de Alwis and Mrs Priyanthy Dissanayake, who had been regularly visiting the prison. Moved by the anguish the prisoners felt about their children left to fend for themselves in society, they began to help the children with their schooling. What began as a project of 47 children has grown over the last 11 years into a society helping over 247 children.
The support given by donors and sponsors is not restricted to financial and educational aid. The society encourages the children to write to their sponsors, thus establishing a relationship of care and friendship.
The children’s progress is monitored throughout their teen years into their early adulthood with the assistance of their schools and principals until they are able to build a life for themselves. The candidates selected have to be nominated by their parent in prison, usually serving a long sentence (15 years to life). They can approach the Society via the prison welfare authorities. The children selected are between the ages of 12 to those sitting for their A/L examinations.
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Commissioner General of Prisons Chandrarathna Pallegama were present at the morning’s event. Scholarships were awarded to the children along with schoolbags and financial aid through National Savings Bank Accounts.
The visit had many firsts for 14-year-old Minu* and her mother. Having travelled from Badulla the day before, her first visit to Colombo was a thrill in itself along with the much awaited chance to see her father. Already immersed in her books, she will be sitting for her O/L examination in another two years, and spends her time after school learning dance; she has even been featured on a children’s show.
The Society is proud to have been a part of several success stories. One that inspires the younger ones even today is of one of their first children; a young girl who would go on to complete her Honours degree at the University of Kelaniya (2010).
Waiting her turn in the excited queue was Roshani*. Standing quietly, with an air of maturity about her, the 12-year-old stood out among the animated chatter of the little ones in the queue. “I want to be an engineer when I grow up,” she smilingly told us.
To help the Friends of Prisoners’ Children, contact Sister Immaculate de Alwis , 133 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha Colombo 10, or contact them on 094 11 2691871. E-mail: welhouse@sltnet.lk
*Names have been changed to protect privacy