Plus

Championing a cause
By Marisa de Silva

Ganga Priyadharshini is a pleasant, talented young person. But she was born with several deformities, leaving her unable to walk on her own. To make matters worse, she came from a poverty-stricken background.

Kasih Bunda (KB), the Child in Need Society was informed of Ganga's plight eight years ago and since then has championed her cause.

Twenty-one-years-old now, Ganga has a home complete with electricity and furniture. Equipped with a wheelchair of her own, she is smartly dressed with matching accessories and speaks with confidence and hope for a better tomorrow. She wants to be independent and earn a living for herself and her parents. With her intelligence, personality and determination, this seems quite likely, if only there were enough places that could train the differently abled.

Kasih Bunda held its 20th anniversary celebrations cum get-together on August 9 at the Aqua Pearl Villa, Gorakana. This non-profit organization based in France has about 200 members who raise funds towards worthy causes overseas to help underprivileged children.

KB has been working in Sri Lanka for the past 20 years, spearheading many a project, such as sponsoring needy children, helping to set up training centres and buying land for those who cannot afford to. Kasih Bunda's local members are equally dedicated. Mrs. Muriel Peiris, the local Secretary of KB has plans to convert her home into a training centre for the differently abled as soon as she retires. She hopes to train them in some craft that they could make a livelihood of and one that they could carry out on their own.

Yet another successful project is between KB and the School for the Hearing Impaired at Ragama. Sr. Clarice Perera, Sister in charge of the past pupils, explains how over the past 5-6 years, all the students within the institution (which currently houses around 80 children) have received sponsorship amounting to Rs. 10,000 a child a year for their educational expenses. In some cases, contributions are made to the children's families if they are in financial difficulties, she says. In addition to the money, each child receives a birthday gift from KB members.

Ms. Indranie Mendis, Sri Lanka Representative for KB adds that the organization has sponsored approximately 200 children up to date. The St. Joseph's Sewing Centre for the Hearing Impaired, Moratuwa was half funded by the KB. When requests are made for certain medical conditions they sponsor the child's surgery. On a visit to the Rehabilitation Hospital, Ragama, members of KB, realizing that a playroom was needed for the children who had to stay on for physiotherapy, had one built.

Their plans for the future include helping two schools affected by the floods in Ratnapura with books, stationery, and uniforms. They also hope to sponsor the purchase and distribution of spectacles to the needy at Bulathsinhala.

Each year at their annual gathering, members of KB come down with individual packages of clothes, books, and goodies for each child. The children are given a day out, full of fun and games at a scenic location, with plenty to eat and drink. "Instead of being just one in the world, Kasih Bunda tries to be the world to one".

Championing a cause By Marisa de Silva

Championing a cause
By Marisa de Silva