homeofhope

Take a look inside at Home of Hope

Home to 100 children and their dedicated caregivers, the children’s village is a thriving community. Beyond providing care and essential services, Home of Hope extends its support to both children and adults in the surrounding area. Discover more about daily life in the village and the overall impact.

Daily Life

Alfy and Sharmini

Home of Hope is lovingly led by Alfy and Sharmini Perera, who have been at the heart of the children’s village since its founding in 2001. As parental figures to all the children, they provide both care, love and leadership.

Alfy, who is Sinhalese, and Sharmini, who is Tamil, serve as powerful symbols of unity in a country whose history is otherwise documented. Together, they manage a dedicated team of around 50 staff members, including housemothers, kitchen staff, drivers, teachers, therapists, and administrative personnel.

Alfy oversees the maintenance of the buildings and grounds and handles large-scale purchasing, ensuring the village runs smoothly. Sharmini, with her deep compassion, trains the housemothers and is wholly committed to the childrenā€™s physical and emotional well-being. She manages their education, coordinates meals, and oversees their clothing needs, ensuring every child is cared for with love and attention.

Their lives are fully dedicated to the well-being of the children at Home of Hope, a true testament to their unwavering commitment.

Living

At Home of Hope, the children live across ten different dormitories, each home to about ten children under the care of a dedicated housemother (matron). They share bedrooms with two to four children, where each child has their own bed and cupboard for their belongings.

From a young age, the children are taught important practical life skills, such as washing dishes, sweeping, fetching water, making beds, ironing, laundry, and gardening. It’s about creating a sense of ownership and pride, whilst helping them to realise a sense of responsibility and encouraging each group to function as a close-knit family.

Jump Start Home

When children first arrive at Home of Hope, they are often in a state of confusion and deep emotional distress. Many have endured traumatic experiences; abuse and violence, some have been taken from unsafe environments or found on the streets. The weight of their past is often so overwhelming that they cannot immediately transition into dormitory life. It’s during this fragile state that they need extra care.

Which is where the Jump Start Home comes into play. A safe place allowing newcomers to transition and adjust to their new environment, whilst ensuring specialist care. It allows each child to find their feet before starting school and moving into a permanent dorm.Ā 

Agriculture

At Home of Hope, agriculture has become a big part of daily life. Rice, coconuts, vegetables and fruits are always on the menu. Which is why Alfy established Home of Hope’s very own farming system, in a bid to become more self-sufficient. Now a thriving plantation with hundreds of coconut, banana, and mango trees, they’re also growing more of their own vegetables in one large and two small greenhouses, thanks to a generous donation. These greenhouses help keep irrigation, fertilisation, and pest control in check, making sure there’s always a steady supply of fresh produce.

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Cooking

All the meals at Home of Hope are prepared centrally in the large kitchen, cooking three meals a day for around 150 peopleā€”no small task! Once the food is ready, two children from each dorm come and collect the dishes for their ‘family’. They then eat together and take care of cleaning up.

Cooking is done using wood and gas. Whenever possible, the meals are made with fresh, home-grown vegetables and fruits, ensuring that everyone enjoys a healthy and varied daily diet.

Play time

At Home of Hope, thereā€™s plenty of time for sports and play. Once homework is done, the children are free to enjoy the outdoors as much as they like. The village has a large sports field and fun playground. Weekends are filled with various activities, but thereā€™s also time to relaxā€”whether itā€™s watching a movie in their dorm or swimming in the therapy pool. On Sundays, the children attend Sunday school, followed by an evening church service in the auditorium. Special sports and games days are also organised to keep the kids active and to ensure maximum fun!

Coming together

The auditorium is the central hub at Home of Hope, playing a vital role in community life. With its large stage and seating for over 100 people, it’s the place where meetings are held, performances are showcased, music is made, and celebrations come to life.Ā 

Education and development

Schooling

The children at Home of Hope go to five different local schools, and get there on a bus that was bought just for them. Sharmini takes care of everything, from school fees and uniforms to making sure they have all their books and supplies. Sheā€™s incredibly hands-on and even goes to every parent-teacher meeting for all 100 of ‘her’ children, staying closely involved in their education and well-being.

Online study centre

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear how essential it was for Home of Hope to have a dedicated space for online learning, homework, and study. Thanks to a generous donation from the Netherlands, we were able to build and equip the Online Study Center, a space designed for all these needs. The centre now houses several laptops, which the children use daily. Invaluable during COVID, it has since become an integral part of life at Home of Hope, supporting the childrenā€™s education and growth.

Computer Centre

In Sri Lanka, itā€™s just as important to develop the skills needed for an ever-changing job market, and strong computer skills are essential. Home of Hope’s computer centre is available not only to our children but also people from those in the surrounding areas, where they can earn a basic diploma, paving the way for further opportunities.

Special School

Whenever possible the children at Home of Hope attend local schools, but for some, regular education isnā€™t an option. In 2019, Home of Hope opened its own special school, providing tailored education for children with mental and/or physical disabilities. This school serves both children at Home of Hope and also those in the surrounding community, offering a huge arm of support.

The special school works hand in hand with the therapy centre, ensuring all students receive the treatments they need, including physiotherapy, speech therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. A part of their daily routine, the children benefit from well-rounded care that enhances their growth and well-being.

The school receives strong support from the Netherlands, where a specialised curriculum was developed with the help of one of our donors. In mid-2020, thanks to a generous contribution from a Dutch sponsor, the school moved into its own dedicated building. This blend of education and therapy now provides the children with the comprehensive care they need to truly thrive.

Health and Therapy Centre

Alfy and Sharmini set out to improve the lives of children with mental and/or physical disabilities in the surrounding villages. In Sri Lanka, these children are often isolated from society, lacking opportunities to engage. At the Health and Therapy Centre, a dedicated physiotherapist and speech therapist provide vital therapy.

Adopting a holistic approach, the staff at the special school and caregivers work closely alongside the therapists. Each child’s case is individual, requiring careful consideration to determine the most effective therapy. This integrated approach ensures that every child receives the support they need for healing and development.

The therapy pool plays an important role in treatments, with a focus on exercise and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Whenever possible, parents and the matrons at Home of Hope are actively involved, learning simple exercises with the children, supporting their therapy. Along with the special school, the therapy centre provides the holistic care these children so urgently need, addressing both their physical and emotional well-being.

Empowerment and Activity Centre

Our special school holds a wealth of knowledge and expertise, which we are eager to share with others. Our goal; to create a ripple effect throughout Sri Lanka, where the experience and insights from Home of Hope can be passed on to the benefit of others. To help achieve this, we offer training and seminars to other special education teachers and caregivers from other children’s homes.

The Empowerment and Activity Centre provides a versatile training room, which is also available for parents whose children are attending the special school. While their children are in class, parents can participate in sessions, helping them better understand and care for their child, enabling stronger support at home.

Library

The book collection in the Home of Hope library has expanded significantly over the years. Thanks to generous donations, weā€™ve been able to provide a wide range of reading, study, and picture books. The children can choose from books in English, Sinhalese, and Tamil, making the library an essential resource for their learning and development. Visiting the library is a treat. Together with their dorm group they can enjoy some quiet time, reading in peace, combining education and fun!

A day in the life on Home of Hope

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