Back in 2008, their intention was to set up a transit home for patients coming to Maharagama Cancer Hospital for treatment from many parts of the country and to provide them with free meals and shelter.
On July 24 this year, the dedicated members of the Maharagama Tharuna Bauddha Sangamaya (YMBA) were able to fulfil this task, thanks to generous donations from the public.
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| The four-storied transit home |
“Some patients are asked to come for radiotherapy at the Maharagama hospital or attend clinics regularly. Many don’t have a place to stay. Some pay a lot of money and stay in temporary places while those who are unable to rent a place make bus stands or railway stations their temporary abode. This is why we came up with the idea to build a transit shelter,” Maharagama YMBA President Asoka Devendra says.
L.W. Rupika and her cancer patient husband have been coming to the Maharagama Hospital for radiotherapy for a year or so. She says their four-hour bus journey from Kuliyapitiya is extremely tiring for her sick husband. “Since, we did not have any relatives living close to the hospital, we had no option but to take a bus to get back home the same day,” says Rupika who now benefits from the YMBA transit home.
Charmini Karunaratne, a young mother from Matale, says she has been staying at the transit home for about a month with her three-year-old daughter who is receiving treatment at the Cancer Hospital. She says she is highly pleased with the care and attention they receive at the transit home from the compassionate staff.
Located close to the Cancer Hospital, the home at Vidyakara Mawatha is now fully functional with many needy patients and those accompanying them from places as far afield as Moneragala and Vavuniya benefiting from it. The first floor of this four-storied building can accommodate about 60 people.
The upper floors are opened when more people come, says Mr. Devendra.
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| Charmini with her three-year-old daughter |
Asoka Devendra |
At the transit home, the patients and their families take part in religious activities organised by the YMBA, prepare meals, clean or arrange the place and read or watch TV. They are provided with three meals a day free of charge.
“The home is run with public funds. The main source of income is the money collected from tills placed in hotels, supermarkets, hospitals and other public places for this purpose,” Mr. Devendra says.
He says a trust fund has also been set up to ensure this project aimed at helping those struggling between life and death is sustained.
Help the fund
A trust fund has been set up at the People’s Bank Maharagama. Its account number is: 306200160002037. Cheques drawn in favour of the Trust Fund YMBA Maharagama can now be deposited in this account. The association requests all donors to enclose a covering letter so that their contributions can be acknowledged. More details can be obtained on 2839956 or by visiting the YMBA website www.ymbamaharagama.org. |
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