The Anula Wijerama Girls’ Orphanage is home to 41 girls, aged 5 years to 19 years, located in Balapitiya, 80kms south of Colombo. The house and 5 acres of land was gifted to the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress in 1974 by Dr E M Wijerama and it is a committee of volunteers from this organization that manages the orphanage with the aid of two full-time matrons but relying solely on donors for its functioning.

The girls attend the Revatha School and Balapitiya Junior School school from 7.30am to 1.30pm on weekdays. Their educational standards are quite low and as a result the orphanage has recently begun to provide tuition for all the girls in several subjects for two hours each afternoon. English classes are provided twice a week by two different teachers, two hours per day whilst sewing classes are conducted once a week for two hours. Singing classes are held also held for all age groups.

The monthly salary of Rs.5,000/- for the two English teachers are covered by ad hoc donations whilst the sewing teacher’s salary of Rs.4,000/- plus the materials required for the class is covered by the Foundation of Goodness (FoG), in addition to the electricity and telephone bills. Twelve sewing machines have already been donated to the orphanage.

It is important to acknowledge the kindness extended by various international donors and supporters who have come to the aid of Anula Wijerama Girls’ orphanage through general donations and essential school supply packages. Some of them include Stewart and Heather Ritchie, Radha Thomas, Alison Donald, Margaret Donald, Soparvan Suphamongkhon, Patricia Walker, Tony Braverstock, Wendy Mundy and David McEwan and staff at Transocean, in recent times via the FoG.

Special acknowledgement needs to be made of Stewart and Heather Ritchie who have continuously supported the FoG over the years. They have not only made donations and provided school supplies for these desperate children in need, but have also contributed towards the orphanage’s electricity costs which they decided to renew again for another year. This no doubt will be an additional blessing for the occupants.

There are two matrons in charge of the orphanage, Nilani Samanmali and Swarnalatha Sanjeewani. Nilani has been working at the orphanage for 11 years and is impressed with the aid received by the donors, through whom the orphanage has developed to its current state today.

‘When I joined the orphanage, we did not have many facilities and sometimes not enough food for the children. But over the years it has changed dramatically for the better, due to the generosity of the donors,’ she said.

She continued, ‘Thanks to them we have been able to refurbish the building and purchase more food supplies and even treats such as biscuits for the children, which was not affordable before.’

This view is equally shared by the children. Dharsha Gimani Kumari is a 15 year old orphan from the tsunami affected village of Seenigama who has been at the orphanage for 3 years. She has found new hope at the orphanage.

‘I am looked after well in my new home and I have many friends. I am also given the opportunity to learn English and participate in sewing and singing classes. Singing is my favourite of all,’ she said with a beaming smile.

AusAID volunteers such as Verity Slee and Ynys Onsman have also contributed in a great way by visiting the orphanage with gifts and spending time with the children during their stay in Sri Lanka, whilst working for FoG. Jennifer Gibson from New Zealand travelled all the way to offer her services for a few weeks to assist the orphanage in any way possible. She conducted a study outlining areas which require special attention so that the facilities can be further improved.

The girls at Anula Wijerama are those who have not only originated from disadvantaged communities but also ones who have been abandoned with no sense of family support. It is through local and international aid that their welfare is taken care of, helping them to lead a normal life.

FoG has taken the liberty to extend its support to elevate the standards of the orphanage for a better quality of life.

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