A blink of hope for disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka
Established in 1977, our primary objective is to care for needy children under12 years of age and bring them up in a Buddhist environment.
About Us
Children’s Home in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Singithi Sevana is managed by the Mahanuwara Lamarakshaka Bauddha Samithiya (Kandy Child Protection Buddhist Society).
Admission and release of children is through the state department of Probation & Child Care and the society is an approved charity under the Inland Revenue Act of Sri Lanka (under section 31 (9) a of the Inland Revanue Act No.28 of 1979).
Some Facts About our Children
At present there are 32 children, both boys and girls aged 3-12 years. The children attend the local state schools, Dharmasoka Vidyalaya, Sangamitta Vidyalaya and the nearby Dhaham Pasale (Temple Sunday School). The younger children attend a preschool conducted by a trained preschool teacher that is held within the Home premises.
Extra Help in Education
The children are given extra lessons in English, Mathematics and Music.
Message from the President
It is an honour and privilege to be able to publish this message to the website dedicated to Singithi Sevana.
The children at Singithi Sevana are either orphans or from dysfunctional or disadvantaged families sent by the Department of Probation and Childcare Services. The aim of the Singithi Sevana Children’s Home is to provide quality residential care in a loving and safe environment to these children entrusted to us.
The children at the Home are taught at government schools. We also provide additional classes in the subjects of mathematics, science, language, music and dancing.
We are grateful for the funding we receive from the Department of Probation and Childcare Services and also from the state Samurdhi benefits.
Although our mission at Singithi Sevana is a huge task, we always endeavor to do whatever we can to make a small difference in the lives of our children. There is an unimaginable degree of joy in seeing a smile on the face of a child. Hence we always aspire to find ways to ensure that the children at Singithi Sevana are happy and healthy and that a smile is seen on each and every child’s face.
I have no words to thank our volunteers and to those who contribute to the general function of our Home and to the wellbeing of the children.
I personally invite you to help us in carrying out our mission by supporting us in whatever way you can!
Thank you
Dr. Anura Dantanarayana
President
The Mahanuwara Lamarakshaka Bauddha Samithiya is a society registered with the State and offers residential care for disadvantaged children for the State. Admissions and handing over of children is processed entirely by the Department of Social Welfare, Probation and Child Care Services.
Our History
Beginnings
Forming a society to establish and manage a Children´s Home for needy children was a concept of late Dr. C de S Wijesundera who was then the Consultant Paediatrician at the General Hospital Kandy. He was faced with the problem of abandoned children in the hospital many of whom grew up in the children´s ward care. With Professor Leelananda Prematilleke, the late Venerable Labuduwe Siridamma Thero of the Getembe Temple and other well wishers they formed this society.
Singithi Sevana was established in 1977. Initially, the Home was housed in a rented building. In 1986, the then Diyawadena Nileme (custodian of the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy), Hon. Neranjan Wijeratne, offered the present land on long-term lease and the building programme was launched. In November 1989, the Home shifted to the present premises.
We Take Care
Child Care
Our primary objective is to care for needy children under 12 years of age and bring them up in a Buddhist environment. All admissions and handing over children is done by the state department who review their files for decision making at meetings chaired by them. Orphans are given for adoption through the state system and the other children are either given back to their parent or guardian if the home background is satisfactory and are capable of providing care or else when they reach 12 years are placed in other state registered homes caring for older children. The Home has cared for around 270 children to date.
Several of our orphaned children have been given for adoption through the state system. Initially, the older children were adopted by foreigners mostly Australian. It is with great pleasure that we record that all children given for foreign adoption are leading very successful academic and social lives in their adopted countries and several of them visit Singithi Sevana with their family. However, now there is an increase in demand for adoption locally. All admissions, adoptions and handing over children are carried out by the state department and the society does not entertain any such requests directly.