The availability of an organizational structure to provide maternal health services in the rural areas of Sri Lanka is an ongoing problem. Even though the availability of universal healthcare and education and good health indicators at the national level, maternal and child undernutrition poses a significant challenge for Sri Lanka.
This project that we are supporting was initially started in 2000 by Buddiyagama Dhammasena Thero to help and support the deserving pregnant women in rural areas with the essential items they need at the hospital for a newborn. The goal is to provide 10,000 crucial giveaway baskets per year Islandwide.
There are about 150 deserving pregnant women in one area at any given time (site selected by the Thero). Through the help of midwives, he identifies the families and selects approximately 50 deserving pregnant women to give away baskets in the high poverty areas.
The President and CEO of the Sri Lanka Foundation International USA, Dr. Dishan Jayasinha, and his wife, Zuigly Jayasinha, with the Director of Cultural Affairs & the Director of Academy of Performing arts, Achala Weerasinghe, visited the areas to distribute baskets which included essential items for newborn babies. Dr. Dishan addressed the Pregnant moms during his visits and assured them that he was thrilled to support them and would continue to do so as long as needed.
On March 15th, 2022, 25 Baskets were distributed in Anuradhapura; on March 27th, 25 baskets were distributed at Nimalaramaya Buddhist Temple in Halbarawa; on April 5th, 20 baskets were distributed at the Colombo District Secretariat Complex Alvitigala Mawatha Colombo 05. Buddiyagama Dhammasena Thero selected the distribution center locations and the well-deserving pregnant mothers.
Over the past seven decades, several strategies were adopted by the health sector and by other industries that contributed to the lowering of maternal mortality; with morbidity and disability gaining attention in recent years, we have established this project to mainly focus on reducing the risks the poor pregnant moms are facing.
If you wish to donate to this project please click on the link below:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KY287N6MD8ZJ8
For more information contact:
Achala Weerasinghe at 213-400-1662
or
achala@srilankafoundation.org
