Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Giving to those who have not

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The first working day of each month is a day the poor and the elderly look forward to. It is the date on which they collect their monthly ‘ Charity Allowance’ from post offices in their locality.

For the deprived sections of our community who collect t h e i r a l l owance at the Thalawathu­goda Post Office, situated on the outskirts of Colombo, the day becomes extra special.

For in addition to the ‘allowance’ they receive from the government, they also receive gifts from a voluntary organisati­on in the area. A group of 30 friends and volunteers have embarked on a scheme to distribute a variety of items to the individual­s who arrive to collect their ‘ allowance’.

“There is so much suffering everywhere. I want others to take an example from our lead and perform similar acts”, said Mrs. Savithri Panabokke, the founder of the Savisarana Foundation, an organisati­on involved in distributi­ng relief items to those depending on the ‘Charity Allowance’.

The Savisarana Foundation provides a gift pack comprising 1kg of rice, 01 packet soya meat, 150g milk- powder, 01 card Panadol, 02 packets of biscuits, 01 bottle Siddhalepa, and a sum of Rs. 200/- to each of the 60 individual­s who arrive at the Thalawathu­goda Post Office to collect their allowance.

Their efforts are being supplement­ed by another Foundation and a Club which helps by providing rice and a snack.

According to Ms. Panabokke, the aim of her organisati­on is to provide a service to disadvanta­ged members of society and to encourage the more well- to- do in society to join in the effort.

The Savisarana Foundation plans to organise a fund- rais- er on 6 April to provide recipients of the Charity Allowance with additional help such as payment of medical bills and repairs to their homes.

 ??  ?? A senior citizen is all smiles as she receives a gift pack from volunteer of the Savisarana Foundation A person with limited eye-sight sips a drink provided by volunteers Recipients receive a government allowance known locally as ‘Pin Padiya’ or Charity allowance of around Rs. 450/- monthly
A senior citizen is all smiles as she receives a gift pack from volunteer of the Savisarana Foundation A person with limited eye-sight sips a drink provided by volunteers Recipients receive a government allowance known locally as ‘Pin Padiya’ or Charity allowance of around Rs. 450/- monthly
 ??  ?? A volunteer provides a recipient of Charity Allowance with a gift
A volunteer provides a recipient of Charity Allowance with a gift
 ??  ?? Volunteers of the NGO hope their example will encourage others to help the more socially disadvanta­ged sections of society
Volunteers of the NGO hope their example will encourage others to help the more socially disadvanta­ged sections of society
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 ??  ?? Senior citizens form a majority of those receiving the charity Allowance
Senior citizens form a majority of those receiving the charity Allowance

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