Empowering lives at Sarananda Karuna Foundation

The pre-school also provides free meals, uniforms, shoes, and transportation

The Memorial Home serves as a mental development centre for 11 elderly women

Bags which are stitched and painted at the centre

The Sarananda Karuna Foundation, based in Ittapana, is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing education, healthcare, and social welfare programmes for low-income families and differently-abled individuals. Guided by its co-founders, Rev. Walallavita Sarananda Thero and Senerath Bandara Subasinghe, the foundation runs multiple institutions -- the Siri Rewatha International pre-school, Sathute Niwahana – centre for development of activities of differently abled children, Meth Karuna Sevana – hostel for differently abled children and the Elke Beyerlein Memorial home – Senior citizens’ mental development centre. Through these initiatives, the Sarananda Karuna Foundation strives to create a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
Senerath Subasinghe, retired senior commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department, fondly recalled an encounter from his past: “I met Rev. Walallavita Sarananda Thero on Panchakapaduwa Island in Aluthgama, where the Bentota River meets the Indian Ocean. He informed me that Mr. Raimund Beyerlein, a German who visits Sri Lanka every year, wanted to make a contribution to the Sri Lankan people, through the generous donations of the affluent Conrad family in Germany. 
“I was asked to coordinate with Mr. Raimund, and together we decided to establish a Trust – the Sarananda Karuna Trust. Our proposal was approved, and in 2006, we launched the Foundation with 42 children and 3 teachers. The Foundation’s Manager  P.K. Udayakumara, Assistant Manager  P.K. Indrani, along with all the teachers and caretakers, are diligently fulfilling their duties, ensuring the Foundation’s success and growth,” Mr. Subasinghe added. 
Daily Mirror recently visited the Siri Rewatha International Pre-School, which currently enrolls 220 students and is staffed by 13 dedicated teachers. Ms. Hemalatha, the pre-school’s longest-serving teacher, stated: “The Foundation offers education to children from low income families, where many parents work as laborers. Unlike most pre-schools, this one provides free meals, uniforms, shoes, and transportation to its students. Overall, I believe this is a tremendous service to families with limited financial means since these children are receiving primary education that they otherwise might not have had access to.” The classrooms were adorned with beautiful artwork and crafts, reflecting the children’s creativity. Various events are hosted nearly every month, and all festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm. We were told that many students from this pre-school have excelled academically, with some even entering state universities and pursuing successful careers.
The Elke Beyerlein Memorial Home is located on the same premises, serving as a mental development centre for senior citizens. Established in memory of the late Elke Beyerlein, beloved wife of Raimund Beyerlein, the home currently accommodates 11 elderly women under the care of compassionate staff members.  
The Daily Mirror also visited the centre for development of activities of differently abled children, where we witnessed one group crafting necklaces and bracelets using Job’s tears herb seeds (kirindi), while another group was making incense sticks. A third group was engaged in stitching bags which were then beautifully painted. In a separate room, two groups were busy making candles using ironwood (namal) flowers and weaving mats. These handmade products are sold at a shop on Panchakapaduwa Island. Udayakumara said: “All the children here live with some form of disability, with some even being blind, yet they find joy in these activities especially since the centre offers many facilities, including an IT lab.”
As Subasinghe  put it: “Most of the parents of our differently-abled children are estate workers who were unable to leave their children at home. To support their livelihoods, we offered to care for their children. Initially, the parents would come to pick them up, but over time, the children grew fond of the centre and their caregivers. They wanted to stay here permanently, which led us to establish a hostel—Meth Karuna Sevana—where they now happily reside.”  
Currently, the hostel has 38 differently-abled children from across the country, and provides for all their needs, including food, medication, recreational activities, and skill development programmes. Subasinghe further noted that German students stay at the centre for about six months to engage with the children as part of the social research they conduct. “Some of these children have thrived academically and some, athletically. In 2014, they won the Special Olympics’ first International Unified Girls’ Netball Tournament, among many other trophies and medals. They’ve certainly come a long way, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments,” he concluded.
pix by nisal baduge