SOULINK LANKA COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION CENTRE GALHINNA & MATALE (CENTRAL PROVINCE)
PREAMBLE
Disabled children are another group who face exclusion and various discrimination. It is common among those who are mentally retarded. Such children have very few options related to inclusive education and special education which could make a huge difference to their development. There is a lack of such schools and facilities, as well as trained teachers. There are so many such children scattered over Sri Lanka. The Parents of such children sometimes keep these children hidden inside their homes due to the feelings of low esteem. It should be a priority of everyone concerned to highlight the needs of such children.
OBJECTIVES
The vision behind this Project is.
• To remove the stigma of the society towards these disabled children and their families.
• To eliminate the low esteem of the parents of these children.
• To socialize them so that the society accepts them as an equal part.
• To rehabilitate, train and empower them to stand on their feet and stand tall.
• To train teachers and parents to handle such children.
CENTRE AT GALHINNA
It was the hard work and struggle of a single lady which gave birth to a Centre at Udatalawinna and Galhinna which are situated a few kilometers off the Hill Capital Kandy. Ms. Ummi Yousuf (Roohma Abdeen) the lady instrumental for initiating this Centre with all the goodwill. This was due to her passion towards such children and, as she wanted to bring light to the lives of these unprivileged souls. There are so many such Muslim villages particularly in the Central Province, which has a big demand for such Centres for children with special needs. As most Muslims parents are themselves poor and not educated, rehabilitation programs are conducted for them too.
It was such conviction that led her to start an Organisation named Soulink Lanka in partnership with Br. Rhumy Amith, who is a tower of strength to her, and two such Centres were started, one at Udatalawinna and the other at Galhinna. It was not an easy journey. She had to study for her Diploma in ‘Special Education and Disability’ and also obtained a Diploma in Childhood and Pre-school Concept, to gain competency to handle such children. She also has a Diploma for Psychology and Counseling at the Peradeniya University. She had to single handedly walk that extra mile to commence this Centre. Finally, her dream was fulfilled one year ago when the Centre for Disabled Children commenced at a Montessori at Udatalawinna and at No.245, Kandy Road, Galhinna. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstance the Centre at Udatalawinna remains closed at this moment after about 8 months of running. This Centre had 25 children upto 18 years.

At the Galhinna Centre for Disabled Children, which has all Muslim children, teachers are specially trained to handle such children as Ms. Ummi Yousuf and Mr. Sanjeeva are qualified trainers. At the moment there are 12 children aged from 6 to 20 years with 3 teachers and one supervisor / trainer / psychotherapist. This Centre too is running at minimal costs and since there is greater demand for inclusion of children from surrounding areas, Alhamdulillah, we were able to move to a bigger place from January 2012, with some help. With the costs spiraling and most parents are on the poorer side, the Centre finds it difficult to cater to the needs of the village. We therefore humbly requests assistance from prospective donors. The earlier Centre which was a two roomed house is now shifted to a much comfortable location, Alhamdulillah.
CENTRE AT MATALE
Masha Allah, a new Centre to handle children with Down Syndrome was initiated at Matale at 104/6 Dola Road. This was due to a great demand from the area. At present, there are 8 children who took admission during the last 4 month existence. 4 teachers get about the different functions assigned to them. Many requests for admissions are made regularly. There is also many requests to start classes for slow learners too. And due to this we have already started a class for slow learners (children with dyslexia and dyscalculia, etc)
At the moment we need furniture in the form of tables and chairs for children and toys and related equipments. We will appreciate so much if a sponsor could volunteer.
Additionally we will need even small funding on regulars basis to meet administrative costs, as cost of living has skyrocketed.
MANAGEMENT
The members of the Management of Soulink Lanka, regularly attends seminars and workshops on psychology, handling children with special needs and disability and related themes to keep themselves updated of the latest knowledge about such children and their needs. Soulink Lanka has therefore developed some awareness of the activities among these reputed Organisations. Actually there is big demand for a Centre or School for special needs children even in Colombo and other leading places. That is another factor altogether. We have espoused the need in schools to have at least one class room for such children. We may be able to train teachers to handle such children.
You could visit this centre and speak to the parents, to obtain firsthand information of the improvement of their children during the past year.
Additionally, we have organized many events to enlighten women on the need to have better families and positive parenting and also home based employment projects. Many counseling courses were conducted for females, in Matale and Galhinna.
You may log on to www.soulinklanka.com or contact us on soulinklank@gmail.com
Our contact numbers are +94 777800631 +94 777162391 or + 94 7212929236


Soulink Lanka
Bank of Ceylon, Kolonnawa Branch
Current Account No.71793162
Swift Code: BCEYLKLX

Bank Code: 7010

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Additionally this Centre also conducts:
• Awareness programs for parents of these children on methods of handling such children
• Empowerment and enlightenment through counseling courses and workshops
• Home based income generating programs.
• Conducting physiotherapy sessions for such children
• Taking the children to clinic for medical intervention
• Counseling and psychotherapy

JAZAAKUMULLA KHAIRAN WAJAZA.
SOME PHOTOS OF OUR CHILDREN







ANNUAL OUTING – CHILDREN OF GALHINNA AND MATALE CENTRES