Sweet Dreams in Sri Lanka
Auckland and Northland retired officers recently made 29 little Sri Lankan girls dreams come true. Dehiwela Child Development Centre (CDC) is one of five children’s homes run by The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka. Dehiwela is a home for girls and while the care is exceptional, the girls were sleeping on old, stained mattresses. With a donation of only $500 NZD, a brand-new mattress for each of the 29 girls was able to be purchased.
Territorial Projects Development and Sponsorship Secretary for Sri Lanka Territory, Lt-Colonel Milton Collins, explains: ‘One New Zealand dollar is equivalent to 300 Sri Lankan rupees. It’s hard to get your head around because 1000 rupees is about five bucks. So, to make a significant difference here you don’t need to donate thousands—$500 goes a very, very long way. A mattress might not seem like a big deal but for these little girls—some of whom are just tiny little dots—it’s so important that we provide them with somewhere warm, dry and safe to sleep.’
Most of the girls living in the centre have no one to care for them. Without the centre many of these girls would be exposed to difficult circumstances. The Sri Lankan Government provides some funding for the five CDCs, but the main source of revenue comes from The Salvation Army in Canada, the United States and the international Salvation Army.
Milton, along with Lt-Colonel Michelle Collins, was visiting the Dehiwela home to meet the girls and staff when the state of the mattresses was noticed. ‘We were being shown around when one staff member quickly flicked a sheet down to cover a mattress which was obviously pretty shabby. The staff were very embarrassed by the state of some of the mattresses, but we assured them this could be remedied.’
Milton promptly contacted Retired Officers Secretary Major Janee Sawyer, from Auckland Area, who has been a point person for donations in the past, and she quickly rallied the troops in the north. The mattresses were purchased and presented to the girls, with Michelle reminding everyone that mattresses aren’t just for sleeping on—jumping is also allowed!
The last time Milton and Michelle visited the Dehiwela home the girls dragged them upstairs to show the new mattresses all set up on their beds. ‘They were so proud, and it was just fantastic to see their smiling faces,’ says Milton.
For those who may be interested in donating to the CDCs in Sri Lanka, please contact Lt-Colonel Milton Collins by email: Milton.collins@sri.salvationarmy.org
