Sheltered with love and care: Prithipura journey since 1964
Safe and secure: Prithipura, a home away from home. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
Inside the classroom, a student knocks down a tower made of building blocks and smiles brightly as fellow students giggle. “Mahesh* usata hadanawane,” comments teacher Lakshika Fonseka, smiling. There is no lecture or punishment – just understanding of each student’s personality. It is this model of love and care that CFS Prithipura Home adopts with their differently abled residents aged from 15 or 50, who will most probably call Prithipura home for life.
CFS (Ceylon Fellowship of Service) Prithipura Home, a government approved charity to assist children who are differently abled, was established in 1964 by British accountant Peter Davie, Bhikkhu Sumana (a British citizen formerly David Bates) and Anglican priest Dr. Bryan de Krester. They built the CFS Prithipura home on a 4½ acre plot of land in Hendala, Wattala and the name came about when a young resident shouted ‘Prithi! Prithi! (happiness)’ when suggestions for a name were being discussed. The three original huts are now six cottages (with added infrastructure), housing around 70 residents.
The cottages, two for girls and four for boys, are overseen by house mothers who live in and look into the residents’ needs around the clock. Bates Cottage and Preethi Cottage each house 14 girls while Canada Cottage, Rosy Cottage, Gladys-Jayawardena Cottage and NORAD Cottage house around 10 boys. The home is run with the help of donations raised by the board of management, patrons and generous members of the public.
Matron Sumana Bandara who joined Prithipura as a teacher aged just 23 has been working at the home for the past 43 years. When circumstances almost made her give up, the affection she received from the children made her overcome the odds and remain. She recalls with tears the love and support she received from the children, both then and a few months ago when she had dengue. “They never call me miss, they always call me Akki or Amma,” she states lovingly.
Some have family who refuse to see them such as 16-year-old Kumara*, while others such as Shantha* have family who do as much as possible to help them. Shantha’s mother works in Colombo and comes whenever needed. 23-year-old Anjali*’s father brought her to the home because he could not leave her at home alone during the day (following her mother’s death) as he went to work as a labourer.
Regardless of race, religion, gender and socio-economic background, the board of management welcomes residents to the home solely depending on their need for care and as recommended by social services or the courts – providing them with a loving and caring family where they would otherwise have none.
“We always look for house mothers who view this as a service rather than a job,” says administrative officer Shivan Krishnadasan. “I view this as a service. I used to teach at the school and came to the office when there was a need here,” says Nirmala Damayanthi.
H.M.I. Kumari has been working at the home for seven years. Having worked abroad as a domestic, she had no reservations about responding to the newspaper article which called for applications. She looks after nine boys by herself after her fellow house mother had to work at another cottage and says. “The mornings are hard because I must feed, clothe and bathe almost all of them,” she says.
Getting ready for their annual sale
Generosity in numerous forms, from financial assistance to shramadanas or even donations of school books coupled with the love and care given to the residents by their caregivers is what helps CFS Prithipura Home. Maintenance of the premises and refurbishment is an important concern, hence Shramadana efforts are greatly appreciated by the management as the cost of a labourer is Rs. 1500 -Rs. 3, 000 a day.
A recently held dental clinic and the generous support of Hemas Hospitals in offering subsidised rates for a medical clinic, screening residents and providing dietary guidance as well as conducting follow up visits are some examples of how members of the public have supported Prithipura. Any donations, such as the two small tills donated by one brother and sister are also greatly valued. “We get about half of our funds from the public and I want to thank everyone who has helped us over the years,” remarks Sumana.
President of the board of management Devika Anthonisz and the board of management, patrons and staff of the home warmly welcome visits from the public. “Any well wishers are always welcome,” says Devika. CFS Prithipura Home is located at 269, Prithipura Road, Hendala, Wattala. If you wish to donate or require further information, please contact 011-2930447.
*Names changed to protect privacy
| Support the home, visit their annual sale | |
| The annual fundraiser for CFS Prithipura Home will be held on Wednesday, November 15 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery from 10.30 a.m. – 6 p.m. A variety of items such as handicrafts made by the residents and teachers – including cards, pencil holders, tills, pillowcases, handloom products, linen shirts, stationery, plastic items, food and a raffle ticket draw will be available. Members of the public are welcome to attend the fundraiser and support the home.
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