Matara Buddhist Girls’ Orphanage – Sri Lanka

Presentation to New Day Members October 2009

Backgroundund

• Privately run orphanage founded in 1961• Capacity for 50 girls• Girls are referred through government

welfare agencies• Three matrons and a volunteer committee run

the home• Funded entirely by private donations• Girls attend local neighbourhood school

The girls

• In most cases girls have been left at the In most cases girls have been left at the orphanage by a family member or abandonedorphanage by a family member or abandoned

• Poverty and the breakdown of the family unit Poverty and the breakdown of the family unit are the main causesare the main causes

• The girls have little hope of marrying in the The girls have little hope of marrying in the future as they have no dowryfuture as they have no dowry

• Education is the key to their future once they Education is the key to their future once they leave the home.leave the home.

Educational Program

• The committee is seeking funding for the following classes for all the girls at Matara: maths, art, computer, music, sewing and dancing.

• For those girls sitting for scholarships and O Levels they would also like to employ a designated tutor to help them achieve better results.

• The cost of a teachers’ salary for each class is USD450-500 per year.

• New Day would like to donate USD5,000 to this program.

We look forward to working with Matara in thecoming months…

Matara committee volunteer - Mily