SI Colombo History
Chartered on the 24th of March 1974 by Mrs. Hilda Richardson Federation President SIGBI.
Projects
Rehabilitation of women prisoners : Commenced 1974 – Ongoing till 2010 Instead current : Sponsoring Educational Needs of Children of Prisoners
Establishing Day care center in 1980 : In Polonnaruwa 200km from Colombo
Establishing Community Development Project and Preschool Thimbirigaswewa, Habarana 185 km from colombo : commenced 1980 – On going
Reconstructing Head Teacher Nanda’s Home in Habarana :with Electricity and Pipe borne water. 2019
Street Children’s Project Wijerama 1989 – to Pre School Panadura for Children living on the beach front., and the construction of the pre school in Kalmunai & several other Pre schools & the Livelyhoods of women along Sri Lanka’s coastline destroyed by the Tsunami.
1988 Drug Rehabilitation Programme
1988 – 89 Home for destitute women and children & Litaracy Programmes
1993 – Release of Prisoners by paying their fines
1993 –ongoing: Projects at the Schools for the Deaf & Blind Ratmalana : Weaving & Handicrafts. Gifting of Braille Slates & writers, sewing machines, fans, cupboards & other furniture required by the Hostel.
Disaster Relief
Given to victims of Natural Disasters and other calamities when disaster strikes. Also to the Armed Forces in the battle front and those injured.
Special Treats – To patients of the Mental Hospital, Hospice & Elder’s Homes.
Assisting a Medical Student till she graduated.
Ongoing– Providing a girl with special needs with her Educational & personal needs.
Advocacy :
Recent Programmes on Gender Based Violence, Achieving Gender Equality, Women’s Issues on Environment ,Land, Local Economy, Political participation, at the workplace & the SDG.
Seminars
We had 3 International Seminars attended by the sitting Presidents of SIGBI.
July 1984 – Challenge of Change through Awareness, Advocacy & Action. Ms. Margaret Hutchins.
May 1989 – Asian Regional Seminar “Mother & Chold”. Ms. Anne Bryan
June 1996 – Child Labour & Universal Primary Education in the SAARC Region. Ms. Tricia Fahey.
Membership
We are an aging membership, whose numbers have declined through the years from over 40 members to 23. We are enrolling new members but the younger ones do not seem to have the time to spare for hands on projects. Hence we are concentrating more on Advocacy to encourage them to participate in future programmes.