I had the privilege of being a Shining Life Children's Trust (SLCT) volunteer along with my son, Joseph, this summer and was hosted by the Women's Development Center following a visit at Easter during a holiday in Sri Lanka where I first met Mrs. Stephen. I was so impressed by her and her vision for the poor and disenfranchised children and women in Sri Lanka that on my return to England I applied, through Shining Life Children's Trust, to be a volunteer supporting WDC which was thankfully accepted. As it turned out I was the first volunteer for SLCT and the last at WDC who had the opportunity to spend time with Mrs. Stephen.
Whilst volunteering I worked closely alongside the Community Development Manager, Chandrathilaka, visisting many out-reach projects in schools, creches and training centers in the surrounding areas of Kandy, including Pupurassa, Denmark village, Ulapane and NuwaraEliya.
All of the projects we visited had one main thing in common and that was that the people there were dispossessed in one way or another whether it was through limited education, a disability, lack of nutrition or all too often some form of abuse. However, all appeared happy, were warm, welcoming and incredibly friendly.
It was fantastic to see how well and how gratefully such small items such as pens, pencils, stationary, mini whiteboards, all donations from the UK which Joe had collected beforehand and taken out with us, were received and how so little, by UK standards, goes such a long way to making a difference to people's lives in Sri Lanka. For example, in Kadugannawa Tamil School SLCT had purchased some very simple partitions which were used in the school to separate a very large space to create several smaller sized classrooms. This enabled groups of similar aged children to be taught together in a discrete room with its own character and differentiated for that particular group. Without these partitions it must have been incredibly difficult for teachers to teach and students to learn.
I enjoyed delivering training again after having been out of front-line teaching and training for many years. I thoroughly enjoyed all the planning and preparation and the designing of the training materials and especially the delivery. I could see the difference that up-skilling staff could make to their securing funding the future so they could continue to support the disadvantaged children and their families and the women of Sri Lanka.
Just 2 days before Mrs. Stephen passed away she took us, along with her Grandson Sam and Chandrathilaka with her to NuwaraEliya where she wanted to sign a contract to set up a space to facilitate livelihood training for persons with disabilities along with awareness on nutrition hygiene, and other topics, so they could better support their children and themselves. Mrs. Stephen wanted to take Joe and me as a 'thank you'for our service and to Joe especially for his commitment to gathering items that he brought out for the schools in Sri Lanka. This for me was one of the highlights of our visit as it enabled me to see and hear how Mrs. Stephen put her values and vision into practice. She was so unconcerned with her own levels of discomfort (traveling to NuwaraEliya was about a 5-6 hour round trip much of which was very windy roads and was quite uncomfortable even for us) and interested solely in improving the lives and conditions of others. Joe and I feel extremely privileged to have spent the hours that we did during the couple of weeks that we were able to spend with Mrs. Stephen and were so sad along with all who knew her when she passed away.
I hope that WDC can continue Mrs. Stephen's legacy and can rise to the challenge of continuing to implement her vision.
By Marcia Summers
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Volunteers at WDC
A Valuable Experience - Sri Lanka by Sharona Otten
I'm very grateful to madam for having founded this place for all the girls and women who need a fine and safe place to live; some girls for a short time, other girls for a longer time. There are sad stories behind the girls. WDC is a place where they can clear their minds.
Sir Ivan is one of the staff members who offers many different activities to the girls three times a week and I'm glad that I could help Ivan. He sings with them, plays drama and plays many different games. These are things that make the girls feel happy. To see them happy, made me happy as well.
There are many other staff members who do hand work classes, cookery lessons, counseling and taking care of them 24 hours a day. Wow, they are all doing a very good job!
Besides helping Ivan, I did creative activities with the girls to develop their creativity and social-emotional development. We made flowers, we made bracelets, we baked muffins, we made beautiful things of clay, we made drawings and we painted the library, which was so much fun! When I went back to Holland, I gave everybody a painting picture of themselves, what they liked very much!
After a few weeks, this place felt like home to me. I spent time with the girls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I learned some Sinhala from them; we played the board game Carrom (and I lost always). We celebrated Christmas and New Year together with candles and fireworks; we watched Sri Lankan television (Sinhala programs); we drank tea together, they taught me how to eat with my hands. We came up with a new game called "Mosquito Fight"(and I was the biggest mosquito of course); we laughed a lot and I think the most important thing: I gave them my love and they gave me their love...
I had a wonderful time with these beautiful girls. Just being together was so nice. I miss them. This experience has touched my heart. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be with these girls so close. I hope to come back to this beautiful place soon.
Ayubowan!
*****************
Volunteer Experience by Gabby Ansems
Ever since I was young I wanted to travel overseas and do voluntary work, so I could have a chance to experience other cultures. This year I was given the opportunity to make my dream come true in March 2013, when I was chosen to volunteer for 3 months at the WDC.
I was chosen by an organization called challenges Worldwide, to work as a volunteer physiotherapy trainer within the CBR section of the WDC because I work alongside physiotherapists in my job and I also have developed a lot of training in the past. The position was also supported by the Church of Scotland. Prior to leaving I spoke to the late Pearl Stephens on the telephone to ensure she was happy for me to come over. She described the organization briefly but said that the best thing to do would be to see it for myself.
I felt a little nervous arriving in a strange country without really knowing what to expect but Pearl was so correct when she said words couldn't describe the kind of experience I would have. It was a trip of lifetime for me. I was living away from my husband alone in a new country where I didn't speak the language, but from the very moment I arrived I felt welcome. Even though everyone had a full caseload they were always willing to assist me if I had a question or needed assistance in my role. The staff with strong English skills were vital to allowing me to develop my training sessions and deliver them too.
The other part of my time in Kandy involved trying to immerse myself as much as i could in Sri Lankan culture and learn all about all aspects of the WDC. I was lucky enough to be involved in some new year celebrations at the WDC as well as other festive occasions during my visit. My favourite sessions were usually to do with food as that is one of my main passions. I became a little more competent at eating rice and curry with my hands by the time I left and I learned to make some different typical dishes including dhal, pickles, curries, and string hoppers.
I was touched by the amazing work that everyone at the WDC does for communities in need all around Sri Lanka and how passionate everyone is about helping others. I spent countless hours talking to Mrs. Stephen about her life and how she developed the WDC, with the help of her staff, over the years. It amazed me that the vision of one woman could be so strong and have such foresight into areas of need in the community and the amazing generosity that Mrs. Stephen had.
She made me feel like part of the family from the very first day I arrived and I was devastated when I heard about her passing. I will never forget my time at the WDC or all the friends I made there. I will continue to follow the development of the organization keenly and support their vital work in any way I can.
I'm very grateful to madam for having founded this place for all the girls and women who need a fine and safe place to live; some girls for a short time, other girls for a longer time. There are sad stories behind the girls. WDC is a place where they can clear their minds.
Sir Ivan is one of the staff members who offers many different activities to the girls three times a week and I'm glad that I could help Ivan. He sings with them, plays drama and plays many different games. These are things that make the girls feel happy. To see them happy, made me happy as well.
There are many other staff members who do hand work classes, cookery lessons, counseling and taking care of them 24 hours a day. Wow, they are all doing a very good job!
Besides helping Ivan, I did creative activities with the girls to develop their creativity and social-emotional development. We made flowers, we made bracelets, we baked muffins, we made beautiful things of clay, we made drawings and we painted the library, which was so much fun! When I went back to Holland, I gave everybody a painting picture of themselves, what they liked very much!
After a few weeks, this place felt like home to me. I spent time with the girls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I learned some Sinhala from them; we played the board game Carrom (and I lost always). We celebrated Christmas and New Year together with candles and fireworks; we watched Sri Lankan television (Sinhala programs); we drank tea together, they taught me how to eat with my hands. We came up with a new game called "Mosquito Fight"(and I was the biggest mosquito of course); we laughed a lot and I think the most important thing: I gave them my love and they gave me their love...
I had a wonderful time with these beautiful girls. Just being together was so nice. I miss them. This experience has touched my heart. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be with these girls so close. I hope to come back to this beautiful place soon.
Ayubowan!
*****************
Volunteer Experience by Gabby Ansems
Ever since I was young I wanted to travel overseas and do voluntary work, so I could have a chance to experience other cultures. This year I was given the opportunity to make my dream come true in March 2013, when I was chosen to volunteer for 3 months at the WDC.
I was chosen by an organization called challenges Worldwide, to work as a volunteer physiotherapy trainer within the CBR section of the WDC because I work alongside physiotherapists in my job and I also have developed a lot of training in the past. The position was also supported by the Church of Scotland. Prior to leaving I spoke to the late Pearl Stephens on the telephone to ensure she was happy for me to come over. She described the organization briefly but said that the best thing to do would be to see it for myself.
I felt a little nervous arriving in a strange country without really knowing what to expect but Pearl was so correct when she said words couldn't describe the kind of experience I would have. It was a trip of lifetime for me. I was living away from my husband alone in a new country where I didn't speak the language, but from the very moment I arrived I felt welcome. Even though everyone had a full caseload they were always willing to assist me if I had a question or needed assistance in my role. The staff with strong English skills were vital to allowing me to develop my training sessions and deliver them too.
The other part of my time in Kandy involved trying to immerse myself as much as i could in Sri Lankan culture and learn all about all aspects of the WDC. I was lucky enough to be involved in some new year celebrations at the WDC as well as other festive occasions during my visit. My favourite sessions were usually to do with food as that is one of my main passions. I became a little more competent at eating rice and curry with my hands by the time I left and I learned to make some different typical dishes including dhal, pickles, curries, and string hoppers.
I was touched by the amazing work that everyone at the WDC does for communities in need all around Sri Lanka and how passionate everyone is about helping others. I spent countless hours talking to Mrs. Stephen about her life and how she developed the WDC, with the help of her staff, over the years. It amazed me that the vision of one woman could be so strong and have such foresight into areas of need in the community and the amazing generosity that Mrs. Stephen had.
She made me feel like part of the family from the very first day I arrived and I was devastated when I heard about her passing. I will never forget my time at the WDC or all the friends I made there. I will continue to follow the development of the organization keenly and support their vital work in any way I can.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Final Message Prepared by Ms. Pearl Stephen Before her Demise
Another year has swiftly gone by! Looking back at the events, so many staff left the WDC and some have replaced the vacant position. Life at the shelter gives hope and courage to many women who never thought they can restart their life, new referrals continue to pour in and fill the shelter, and the ages of victims getting younger! The shelter continues its work in taking care of many girls who are downhearted and deceived, full of grudge, hatred and pain. But it is also a joy to see those who revisit the shelter calling it as their home even though they have moved on in life. Some even come forward to help others who have gone through the same experience and support us in many other ways.
We have many volunteers and well-wishers who have come forward to help us in kind during the past year. Volunteers who worked with us have been a great help in many ways. Local donations have helped us to supplement our income. Foreign funding continues to decrease at a rapid pace for Sri Lanka, which in turn affects WDC's work in bringing hope and justice to many families. Water for the shelter is costing a large sum and we have to find financial sources somehow to cope with the need as it is the most basic necessity for our shelter. We handle the largest number of teenage pregnancies in the country which involves transport for regular check-up at hospital and for court hearings; cost for transport keep increasing with the increase of fuel prices.
A Special thanks to the Rotary Club of Kandy and Katugastota for stepping in and reconstructing and renovating one of the buildings and providing equipment, as the facilities at the shelter is very limited to house these women and children.
I also like to thank Mrs. P. A. Weerapana, for her contribution as the Deputy Coordinator of WDC. We certainly will miss her, and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
A special thank you to all our funders, well-wishers and friends for all their support and cotributions, and wishing you all a very blessed new year.
May God Bless you all.
Pearl Stephen
Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the beauteous land...
We have many volunteers and well-wishers who have come forward to help us in kind during the past year. Volunteers who worked with us have been a great help in many ways. Local donations have helped us to supplement our income. Foreign funding continues to decrease at a rapid pace for Sri Lanka, which in turn affects WDC's work in bringing hope and justice to many families. Water for the shelter is costing a large sum and we have to find financial sources somehow to cope with the need as it is the most basic necessity for our shelter. We handle the largest number of teenage pregnancies in the country which involves transport for regular check-up at hospital and for court hearings; cost for transport keep increasing with the increase of fuel prices.
A Special thanks to the Rotary Club of Kandy and Katugastota for stepping in and reconstructing and renovating one of the buildings and providing equipment, as the facilities at the shelter is very limited to house these women and children.
I also like to thank Mrs. P. A. Weerapana, for her contribution as the Deputy Coordinator of WDC. We certainly will miss her, and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
A special thank you to all our funders, well-wishers and friends for all their support and cotributions, and wishing you all a very blessed new year.
May God Bless you all.
Pearl Stephen
Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the beauteous land...
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