The Pauline Colley Institute becomes a reality

When Pauline Colley from England visited Sri Lanka 15 years ago she saw many children begging on the streets in Kandy. Deeply concerned, she went back to England with the thought of starting a hostel for these children. Her idea was to set up "New Lives", a charity which collected funds in modest ways through coffee mornings, talks to local groups, boot sales etc.

Pauline gave an interview on Barbara Sturgeon's programme on BBC Radio Kent and hearing this, Amitha Samarasinghe, who had emigrated from Sri Lanka to England forty years ago, contacted Pauline along with his wife, Colleen. They became involved in the charity and went to Kandy with Pauline.

"A vast block of land was purchased for 1000 pounds in Thiththakajjara Harispattuwa. There Pauline met a Dutch lady Tina who agreed to donate 35,000 sterling pounds to the building and continued funding for three years," said Colleen.

But once the funding came to an end, the whole project stagnated and the building lay vacant for more than 10 years. Tragically Pauline was killed in a house fire leaving the other part of her dream unfulfilled.

Amitha and Colleen Samarasinghe with the help of Provincial Council member of the Central Province Shanthini Kongahage, are determined to re-open this hostel and name it "The Pauline Colley Memorial Training and Rehabilitation Institute for the Homeless".

Amitha and Colleen in addition to being founding members of "New Lives" are foster parents to five Sri Lankan children through the Shrama Shakthi organization.

"The building is almost complete but we need to start with equipment and have children joining. We're hoping to revive the school but need further support from the local authorities and other organizations in Sri Lanka to improve and make this a complete residential training centre," says Mr. Samarasinghe.

The centre has nine rooms, three bathrooms, a large hall and massive kitchen which had been abandoned for many years not forgetting the spacious inner courtyard (Meda -Midula). It can accommodate around 30 and they are looking for male students under the age of 18.

"As there are not many street children in Kandy we hope to get more children from the Probation Department and tsunami affected kids around the country and begin the first stage by the second week of March," said Mrs. Kongahage.

Among the subjects they are hoping to introduce are electronics, house wiring, plumbing, hotel training in housekeeping, guest relations, IT and English language.

The hostel is on the road to 'Tree of Life Hotel’. A committee has been appointed to act on this matter immediately and make all the arrangements to re-open the school. Mrs. Kongahage acts as a patron of the committee.

Last year New Lives donated 20 computers to IT centres in Hewaheta, Udunuwara, Wattegama and Senkadagala in Kandy with the help of the Shrama Shakthi organization.

"We were so happy when we visited the IT centres and saw the children all excited to use the computers. They were very appreciative and have improved their IT skills," said Mr. Samarasinghe. The computers were donated by The Chapter House, Canterbury Cathedral, ADM and Aylesham IT Training Centre in UK.

For further information on 'The Pauline Colley Memorial Training and Rehabilitation Institute for the Homeless' contact Mrs. Shanthini Kongahage- on 0777 588892.