From two girls to thousands: Suwasetha Seva Society’s fifty-year journey
For five decades now a proverbial Nuga tree under whose benevolent shade the needy have been fostered and nourished, the Suwasetha Seva Society of Sarvodaya looks back this Sunday on their long journey, with a celebration when beneficiaries will flock to the headquarters; with well-wishers, donors and friends from around the world.
Ahead of the golden jubilee, we travelled to Moratuwa to meet the lady behind Suwasetha – Neetha Dhammachari Ariyaratne, wife of the late Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne. Fittingly, she had founded Suwasetha as the welfare arm of his brainchild, Sarvodaya.
A place they can call home
We meet Ms. Ariyaratne in her garden, where she harks back to a day in 1974 when the first little charges of Suwasetha arrived at her doorstep. The girls were a couple of months and four years old, the mother having passed away at the birth of the younger child.
The girls were brought up at Meth Madura, the family house, and were part of the Sarvodaya preschool. The endeavour thus begun has today grown into a charity with seven child development centres, three preschools, two centres with services available to differently-abled persons, five elders’ homes, and one community based rehabilitation centre.
The Masevana Home for teenage mothers in Lunawa was begun with one girl who had been abused by her stepfather, and now has ten young mothers – pregnant or having just delivered their babies.
Ms. Ariyaratne recalls trips to the outstations in the height of the insurgencies when they had close brushes with the JVP youths.
Neetha Dhammachari Ariyaratne
The General Secretary of Suwasetha, Samanmali Ratnayake says they want to help the youngsters with their education, physical and mental wellbeing.
The nutrition centre at Moratuwa is for babies up to three years where the little ones are kept in a spacious haven, with vaccinations and clinical care all provided.
The Leela Jayasekere Centre at Moratuwa (named after its first headmistress, a former piano teacher of Bishop’s College) is a preschool while the rest of the children’s homes shelter those between six and 18, attending school.
Samanmali adds that babies are born in the teenage mothers’ home and they have ambulances and capable matrons at hand.
The elders’ home at Thalpawila is a special needs home. The elders’ homes have residents up to 90 years. If they pass away there, Sarvodaya arranges for the final rites.
There are two preschools in Akuressa and Wariyapola, where for a minimal sum of Rs. 1500 a month early education is provided, under the care of very dedicated teachers.
The community-based rehabilitation programme is done in collaboration with Sarvodaya Netherlands (who look after the financial side) for people with special needs in the Galle and Kalutara districts, in 24 divisions.
“Through the Ministry of Social Services and Government Agents we find houses with children or even older people with special needs – with some children the mother or father can’t earn a living leaving the children.”
“For them we conduct physiotherapy clinics, speech therapy clinics, give them medical equipment, dry rations, etc.”
Sarvodaya Netherlands, happy with the work has promised to extend their support for three more years. In fact the 50th anniversary celebrations today will have as guests of honour
the president and treasurer of the Netherlands organization. The Chief Guest will be Iwan Rutjens, the Dutch Deputy Ambassador.
“Our founder Dr. Ariyaratne passed away last year but his blessings are constantly with us to keep our mission and vision going strong,” says Samanmali.
A stamp featuring the Suwasetha Seva Society will be launched at the celebrations.
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