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1st October 2000
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Touched by a real angel

The Veera Sebala Foundation's foster parent scheme provides much - needed support to soldier families

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi
Sewwandi Sasikala is six-years-old. She is the eldest daughter of Ajantha Weeraratne whose soldier husband died in action at Mankulam on October 15, 1999. Unknown to Sewwandi, the fatherless little girl from Labunoruwa is just about to acquire a foster father who will not only send her Rs. 250 every month to enable Ajantha (whose plight was highlighted in The Sunday Times of July 30) to pay for her school needs, but who will also with his support and warmth try to fill the vacuum created by the loss of her own father.

Who are these foster parents or guardian angels who work behind the scenes? They are part of a massive assistance programme launched by the Veera Sebala Foundation, which got activated back in 1985.

"1983 was a bad period for the country. We got thinking how we could help out as normal citizens, who unlike the soldiers, couldn't take up guns. 

"Then we came up with this idea of setting up an organization to give confidence and support to those who were fighting our cause," said Veera Sebala Foundation Chairman Mangala Boyagoda.

Banker Boyagoda along with a friend, Ranjith Narangoda, then met Prof. Nandadasa Kodagoda, Gen. Cyril Ranatunge and well-known public servant D.B.I.P.S. Siriwardene and formed the Veera Sebala Foundation.

"We have the objectives of supporting soldiers and giving them the confidence that if something happened to them, their families would be looked after and their children educated," Mr. Boyagoda said.

And throughout their 15-year existence, this handful of people, about seven in all, have helped more than 400 children of service personnel who have laid down their lives, finish their education.

The Foundation started off by providing scholarships to about 175 children for two or three years to complete their education. Now they have launched into the foster parent scheme.

The Foundation has found foster parents for 250 children, spread out across the country. It's also not just the Rs. 250 they provide monthly for each child. "The foster parents take these children literally under their wing. They send cards for their birthdays, visit them when possible and keep in close touch, looking after their interests. Once a year, we bring all the children to Colombo and give them a day out, which they will remember, with meals, games and warmth. The foster parents come in different forms, not only as professionals and bankers but also as big private companies," Mr. Boyagoda said. 

Usually they get the lists of dead soldiers from the services. But they selected Sewwandi after they saw the family's plight in an article in The Sunday Times.

The foundation has ambitious plans for this year, focusing on disabled soldiers. "Disabled soldiers are a group most people are not looking at. We want to set up three holiday homes in Kandy, Bandarawela and down south where disabled soldiers can be taken for two to three weeks to have a holiday and also undergo counselling," says Mr. Boyagoda.

All non-governmental organizations should unite and work towards the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers, he stresses, adding that public support too is essential.

The Veera Sebala Foundation has its office at 50, Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2. 


Deafness: treat young

By Rev. Sister Charmaine Mendis 
"We have just been told that our baby is deaf. Our hopes are shattered. We just don't know what to do."

Parents are quite naturally devastated but to be deaf or hearing impaired does not mean that there is no future for such children. With the phenomenal advances made in hearing-aid technology, specialized methods of teaching in the field of audiology and the availability of specialists in this field, much can be done to help these children achieve high levels of education, develop their various skills and realize their individual potential to the fullest. 

Although Sri Lanka cannot boast of adequate professionalism in the various fields related to deafness and deaf education, there is hope. It is important that parents are directed to the correct channels for assistance. 

After medical personnel such as pediatricians and E.N.T. surgeons have attended to these children, they should be referred for a hearing assessment and to a school or programme for hearing impaired children. Parents need to be convinced that these children can be educated. Their support is of paramount importance to make the lives of their children a success. 

Early detection and early intervention are key words in the story of success. After a hearing loss is detected, early intervention by specialists such as audiologists and qualified teachers of the deaf, should follow. It is important that especially the audiologists are professionally qualified persons. 

The audiologists will assess the hearing impairment and assist in selecting suitable hearing aids. 

After fitting hearing aids, training should be given with them. Children's listening skills must be developed to obtain the maximum benefits from hearing aids. Training is absolutely essential. 

Research studies have shown that the best results are obtained if children are fitted with hearing aids, and get in to an early intervention programme at the age of six months. 

The handicap of deafness or hearing impairment has numerous adverse consequences.

If there is no intervention by specialists after early diagnosis, there will be perceptual, speech, language, communication, emotional, cognitive, social, intellectual, societal, vocational as well as parental problems. 

Strange as it may sound parents themselves, out of ignorance, hinder the development of these children. This is why it is so important for parents to learn as much as possible about the handicap of deafness and what role they have to play in helping their children to overcome this handicap to the fullest possible extent. Only then would these children bloom in to full persons, who could be independent and contribute their share to society. 

If there is early intervention by specialists, the problems that have been mentioned as consequences of deafness, can be minimised. If not all, at least some of these problems can be fully overcome. 

To achieve this is no easy task, but it is not impossible too. A lot is involved especially in the early years.

To keep at the task when one does not see quick results, can lead to discouragement.

It is necessary to take courage and persevere. This is the challenge facing teachers and parents. Their efforts and perseverance will be crowned with success. 

The writer is an Audiologist at St. Joseph's School for the Deaf, Ragama

Whom to contact
Some institutions that parents could contact to get the necessary guidance are: 

1. Sri Lanka Association of Parents of Deaf Children No. 220, 
Galle Road, Idama, Moratuwa       Tel:   646728 
2. School for the Deaf Ratmalana Tel: 636351 
3. St Joseph's School for the Deaf, Ragama Tel: 958330 
4. Narada Savana Foundation, No. 8, Asoka Gardens, Colombo Rd., Gampaha. Tel: 033- 22013
5. AHIC, Dalugama, Kelaniya. Tel: 910623 

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