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of refuge Before setting up the home, the nuns housed three destitute girls in the convent. "When I retired from teaching I thought I would look after these children," says Sr. Benette. So began the JVC Home in 1992. From this point on people who knew about the home started bringing children from all corners of the country. The home currently has 69 girls from 2-18 years. The girls go to different schools in the area. "Some of them go to St. Mary's Nainamaduwa, and Dankotu Balika, while the rest go to St. Rita's Thaldeka. The two younger ones are in the Montessori," explains Sr. Benette. "Each girl has a story behind her," reminisces Sr. Benette. They have been either abandoned, orphaned or living with one parent who is unable to care for them. A few parents/guardians visit occassionally. Parents/guardians are invited to their annual concerts and prizegivings, which are held once in two years. "Each time we do a different type of concert," says Sr. Benette explaining that this year they are working on a ballet. "Each student has an inherent talent," she adds, proudly explaining that some have won sports championships in school and singing medals, which are displayed in a glass cabinet in the office. "They must become more aware of their self worth to make use of their talents," says the nun. Extra curricular activities take up a significant amount of the children's time. A dancing teacher visits the home on Saturdays and Sr. Benette conducts the voice training classes herself and is thrilled at the girls' progress. Their voices have taken them as far as Sweden. "Fifteen of our girls won gold medals in the singing competition organized by the British Federation of Festivals in 2002," says Sr. Benette explaining that all fifteen choristers were taken to Sweden. The choir has been invited to sing Christmas carols at the Dolphin Hotel every year. Once they finish their O/L exam, the girls are supposed to go back to their parents. This however is not always possible, as some have no place to go. Five of the girls who grew up in the home have opted to stay back and help. "They help me with the running the home," smiles Sr. Benette. Sakuntala David came to the home in 1995 from a refugee camp in Trincomalee and is now a permanent member of the staff and its Head Girl. Then there are those who come back to the home. A 20-year-old returned with her 2½-year-old daughter after a failed marriage. "She is staying here because there is nobody else to turn to," says Sr. Benette. However, Sr. Benette’s intention is to train the students to stand on their own feet. "I want to see them all employed when they leave here," stresses Sr. Benette who is determined to improve their knowledge of English. Some of the senior girls are taught clerical work while others are given computer training. One of the girls who wants to be a nurse, has unfortunately not got the minimum requirements to apply for training. "She is our little nurse here, and knows all about how to attend to an injury or illness." Life in the home is not monotonous. Their day begins at 5 a.m. when they wake up and engage in some yoga, followed by meditation. After school the girls have some free time to relax and then settle down to do their homework after which they do a bit of gardening. "They have their own plot of land, where they grow whatever they like," adds Sr. Benette. After TV and dinner they get back to their books. The smaller ones go to bed at 9.30 p.m. while the older girls study till 11. Having spent most of their lives together the girls are like members of one big family. "They have the occasional fights, but for the most part they get on well," smiles Sr. Benette who is a mother to the girls, so much so that some of them even call her ‘Amma’. The smooth running of the home is partly due to the many people and organisations that come forward to help with funds. Some like Maxie’swho have given chicken and eggs once a week since the inception of the home, contribute food and provisions. "Each child has a sponsor in Sweden," says Sr. Benette explaining that an old Swedish friend Birgitta Berg Salmi had found volunteers for each child. These sponsors are from a Swedish organisation called 'Lanka Sarana' of which Birgitta is the President. The sponsors send 200 Krona each month to be used for the children's daily needs like food, medicine, clothing and education. Birgitta visits the home at least once a year and hosted the girls during their visit to Sweden. “ Anyone can provide a roof but this is a real home with a heart,” says Birgitta explaining that here the children are really allowed to be children. |
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