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A bit of sunshine
By Priyanwada Ranawaka
In the twilight of her life Mrs. Lois Perera is surrounded by friends. She fans herself with a red lace hand fan as her mind travels back in time, recalling cherished memories.

Mrs. Perera is one of the elderly women at the Sunshine Home for Elders in Moratuwa who greet you with welcoming smiles when you visit.

Sunshine Home is a project launched by the Holy Emmanuel Church Mothers' Union in 1982. Though the founders had meagre funds in hand, they were armed with faith and hope. The home was started in a little two-room house donated by the late Hilda Peiris and her sister Sylvia Peiris.

The rest of the building, now expanded to 20 rooms, including a storeroom and a kitchen, was erected with the aid of donations from parishioners, friends and well-wishers. The home is run on contributions from donors and has 16 elderly residents, both paying and non-paying. Four caregivers, a matron, a guard and two kitchen aides take care of them.

"It is like a home away from home," says Gerty Fernando, who has been at the Sunshine Home for the last 11 years. At 83, she is the oldest member of what they call 'The Big Family'. "They treat us well here," says she. Each well-furnished bedroom has two beds, a cupboard with a vase of flowers on top and an attached bathroom.

Hung in a corner of the hall is a chart marked with the birthdays of the residents. "We exchange gifts and have a party. We look forward to this," says another resident.
The inmates can choose to spend one day per month with their families if they want to. "When I go home I miss my friends. Although it is for just one night, I call the Home to see how they are doing," says Mrs. Perera who is a retired teacher.

The sick room is empty. "Except for a cold or hay fever, we have had no serious cases of sickness reported for some time," explained the president of the management committee that helps the Sunshine Home financially. A doctor comes in once a month to see if the residents are in good health.

"I like to watch teledramas," explained one of the residents of the home, when asked what they do in their spare time. Some prefer to read the papers or listen to the radio while others tend the flower and vegetable beds in the garden.

The matron points to a table filled with handicrafts of all kinds: Teddy bears, carpets, pillow cases, tablecloths, Christmas trees and other colourful creations made of cloth and other materials they have at hand. "These have been made by them. We are planning to have a fiesta at the end of the year," she said.

A recreation room is an immediate need of the residents. The committee is planning to hold the fiesta this November to raise funds for the new building and welcomes financial assistance from anyone interested in helping the aged.

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