Boys from the Hari Children’s Home participating in the Pada Yatra.

Several months ago, Sewalanka Foundation released an appeal seeking funding for the construction of a new premises for the Hari Children’s Home in Batticaloa. The home, which provides care and shelter for over 70 young boys, has been housed in an abandoned movie theater since it was first established.

After the tsunami, the home found itself inundated with new arrivals, all young children made homeless by the disaster.

Facing the imminent termination of its lease in 2006, the president of the home’s management committee, Mr Chandrakumar began an urgent campaign to acquire funding for a new building.

The home was fortunate to receive a private donation of prime land in a part of the town much more amenable to the children, however, they lacked the funds to construct a suitable building at this new site.

It was at this point that Sewalanka Foundation became involved to help find a donor who would fund the completion of the building.

Batticaloa District Director, Mr G Nagarajah said that after several months of searching he was very pleased to report that earlier this month Sewalanka was able to secure a donation of 4.1 million rupees from Mr Abhishek Jain from Tsunami Relief, an organisation based in Virginia, USA.

“This contribution should prove sufficient to allow for the construction of a modern building that will provide the children with a safe and secure environment for the 10 to 15 years they will call it home,” Mr Nagarajah said.

“Upon completion, the new building will house comfortable dormitories, modern kitchens and IT facilities. It is hoped that the new building will help provide these vulnerable children, some as young as seven, who have already lost both parents to the tsunami or the conflict, with a stable, comfortable environment in which to work towards a brighter future.”

Construction of the building is expected to be completed within the next eight months, at which point the children will finally be able to leave the theatre and begin life in a genuine home.