EXAMS & PROJECTS
At the end of January, two young mothers took the written O-Level exams: one currently lives with us, the other a former resident. The oral exams followed in March. That both were able to participate is primarily thanks to the dedication of our manager, Hasitha, who registered them, accompanied them, and organized all the necessary arrangements. No one else would have taken on this responsibility, especially for the former resident. Even though they didn't ultimately pass, their participation alone is an impressive achievement, considering the long study days and the additional responsibility they bear for their children. We are also pleased that we found a school whose administration allows our mothers to take their exams there. In the next exam period, one of the mothers will retake the exams, and two other mothers currently living with us will also take advantage of this opportunity.
In addition to regular classes, several project days took place: sex education, health, traditional baking with an external baker, sewing cuddly toys, and initial experiences in growing and caring for crops. The aim is to awaken interests, discover talents, and strengthen self-confidence.
What's also new is that we received a donation of two computers from our bank in Sri Lanka. This means we will now be offering regular computer classes.
BEAUTIFUL & PAINFUL FAREWELLS
Three mothers decided, after careful consideration, to
They were adopted and left our shelter.
We've been with us for a long time, and saying goodbye was difficult. The decision
was by our psychologist, manager and two
accompanied by external psychiatrists. The mothers were allowed in
Court proceedings: speak to the judge in person,
which is not a given.
Furthermore, we were able to welcome three mothers with their
Successfully reintegrating children into their families.
In at least two cases, this was only possible because the parents
at our shelter together with her daughter and
whose child could spend time together. This gave them the opportunity to...
opportunity to deal with the situation, to
to get used to the new family constellation and
Finally, the court reinstated custody for the mother.
and to apply for a child.
FULL HOUSE
In April, we used our full capacity for the first time: Ten
Mothers and five children lived with us at the same time. Three
Mothers soon moved on, but it was still an intense experience.
A trial run that showed we can handle peak periods as well.
can. In order to increase the number of mothers in our country in the long term to
To bring in ten, however, we need more
financial leeway. Currently, there are usually seven mothers living there.
with us; currently there are four again, two more
Recordings are about to begin.
NEWS FROM THE GARDEN
We have some very good news from our garden: The first
An attempt to create a vegetable garden failed at the beginning of the
Years due to weeks of heavy rain. Meanwhile, it looks
but it looks promising. The Department of Agriculture in
Madiha visited us for two consultation appointments to give us tips
to be used for cultivation on our premises.
We are currently growing: passion fruit, papaya, various
Chili peppers (very important!), spring onions, beetroot, cabbage,
Carrots, eggplants, sweet potatoes, cassava (tropical)
Root tuber), taro (Asian stem tuber), snake cucumber,
long beans, winged beans, radishes, water spinach, red
Spinach, lettuce heads, and mushrooms. Plus banana plants.
The garden is intended to make an important contribution to the future
Providing for oneself and a learning environment for mothers and children.
Past News
1. Admission of more women
After the first girls were admitted and the first babies were born at the end of 2023, a total of nine young women lived with us in the home in 2024. Two of the mothers have since left our home to live with their families again with their babies, and two other mothers now live in other facilities without their babies. At the end of the year, five mothers were living with us with their three babies (aged three weeks to four months), and our ‘big boy’ turned one year old on 16 December 2024. Of course, there are sometimes minor and major disagreements when living together, but everyday life in the shelter is characterised above all by mutual consideration. We admire our residents for their willingness to help, which is especially evident when a mum is not feeling well physically or mentally.
2. Sponsorships for out mothers
As some of the mothers will be staying with us for the long term, we are now offering sponsorships. With a sponsorship, you can help a young mother cope with her everyday life with us, complete her school education and thus lay the foundation for an independent life. Through a sponsorship, you are specifically supporting one of our young mothers. You can choose between a partial and a full sponsorship. Sponsorship enables us to plan for the long term and makes our work much easier. You can find more information here.
3. "Our" pink TukTuk
We have been working with the Rosie May Foundation since September 2024. They provide us with a tuk-tuk at a very fair price. This saves us transport costs that we urgently need elsewhere. We are very happy about this collaboration and hope that we can continue it in 2025.
4. Completed Team & relocation
Our local team consists of a manager, shelter supervisor/house mother Santhushti, house mother Sunethra, cook and driver Ishani. At least once a week, a psychologist supports our work and the women on site. A midwife also visits the shelter regularly to work with the young mothers.
After our previous manager left our team for personal reasons, we were fortunate enough – thanks to our good local connections – to quickly find and hire Hasitha. She has been coordinating the work in Sri Lanka together with Ishani for five months. This team of managers manages the balancing act between office work, managing employees, dealing with the authorities and creating wonderful moments with the girls in an admirable way. At the beginning of April, we spontaneously decided to move to another house. We weren't actively looking for a new house, but simply mentioned to friends and acquaintances that the long journeys to doctor's appointments etc. were costing us a lot of time and nerves in the long run. As a result, we received an almost unbeatable offer and moved on 1 July 2024.
5. Biggest challenges
One of the most important and exhausting battles, which Hasitha is primarily fighting on the ground, is to ensure that young mothers who want to keep their children and cannot return to their families under any circumstances can live in our facility until their children reach the age of 18. The youth welfare office is critical of this, as babies and mothers can be accommodated relatively easily in state institutions when they are separated, but not when they are together. As there are many pregnant young women who could give birth to their babies at our facility, they see this as ‘blocking’ a place. We must repeatedly emphasise that it is precisely our goal to give women this option and that we are not a transit station that, in case of doubt, separates babies and mothers against their will.
Despite all the criticism of the youth welfare office, however, one must also take into account their perspective on our objectives and the cultural differences. In addition, after much back and forth, the battle seems to have been won in the case of one of our mothers and her baby. We have been assured that they will be allowed to stay together.
6. Daily Routine
The day at our shelter begins with breakfast together, followed by a short play session with the babies before lessons start. The mothers learn in small teams/groups. While the teacher works with one group, the others work independently on tasks to reinforce what they have learnt. While the mothers are busy learning, the house mothers take care of the youngest residents. Three main meals and at least two teatimes a day provide opportunities for conversation and socialising. At least twice a week, all mothers attend sessions with the psychologist, which also include creative activities such as gardening, crafts or group games. At lunchtime, there is time to rest, read and/or play with the babies. In the afternoon, depending on requirements, there are further lessons or independent study sessions. Two Zumba classes per week and a weekly sewing course provide variety. Once or twice a month, there is a film evening.
Past News
Looking back – What we achieved in 2023
1. Founding of a local partner organisation
The founding process of our partner organisation has FINALLY been completed. There were a few (bureaucratic) hurdles to overcome - just this much: we are very pleased to inform you that our partner organisation YOUNG MOTHERS FOUNDATION is now fully operational.
2. Employing a manager
After we had initially found a wonderful manager, but after a few weeks she received a very good offer from her old employer that we couldn't match, we had to go looking a second time. This time, too, we made a very good choice and now have the lovely Nadeeja in our team.
3. Finding a suitable house
We have found a beautiful house with wonderful landlords. We are particularly pleased with the spacious communal areas, the tidy kitchen (an absolute rarity!) and the fact that almost no renovation work was required. Four women and their babies can stay here without any problems, which is great for us to start with!
We have also already been able to furnish the little house, as the first women moved in at the end of the year.
4. Empolying a FEMALE Tukuk-Driver
We have found a female tuktuk driver who is willing to work for us for a very fair price. This may seem like a small thing, but it's not! It is an absolute exception, especially here in the south of Sri Lanka, that there are female drivers. After almost two months of regular journeys with her, we can say that she is a really pleasant and reliable driver! At this point in time, it is definitely an option for us to employ her permanently for the weekly errands, doctor's appointments and trips to school.
5. Cooperation wit Cupper Tea
In addition to the annual Advent calendar, this year we had a collaboration with the brand Cupper Tea on Instagram as part of their ResponsibiliTea campaign. As one of the three projects, donations were collected for our organisation with the sale of the ‘Sri Lanka’ set.
6. Taking in the first two women and them giving birth
Last but really not least: In November and December, we were able to take in the first two women/girls. Both were already quite far along in their pregnancy when they arrived. As luck would have it, both children were born almost at the same time on 16 December 2023. Mothers and children are doing well.
REVIEW 2022
After more than two years that have gone anything but according to plan, we FINALLY have good news for you!
We will begin our work on site in 2023, as planned in the first quarter, and open a shelter for young mothers and their children! This is only possible thanks to our wonderful members, who have supported us with their contributions despite all the stumbling blocks and believed in our project.
A ♡-ly thank you to all of you!
The powerful women of the SAMBOL FOUNDATION, who have built a shelter for women affected by violence in Sri Lanka, also play an important role in the latest developments. They were valuable contacts for us last year and greatly enriched our development process with their experience and their warm and reflective manner. - THANK YOU!!
Even if the progress was small at times, it was steady and we are happy to be able to share the good news with you today. The need for institutions like ours is very great in crisis-ridden Sri Lanka! The situation in the country is - as some of you have surely seen in the media reports - even more precarious than in 2019, when we started our work.