March 2007 - Sambodi Home, Sri Lanka

    C.O.L.O.R. restocked the medical supplies at the Sambodi Home for Handicapped. Bulk medicine and medical supplies we given to the in house clinic that serves the residents. 

January 2006 - Sambodi Home, Sri Lanka

    I (C.O.L.O.R. volunteer, Jennifer Longheyer) have spent many years working with children and young adults with a variety of developmental and physical handicaps. When I heard about the Sambodi Home for the handicap in Unawatuna, I knew I could help.  The home and school were in the process of rebuild and program redevelopment; prior to the tsunami conditions for residents were substandard to say the least. Almost half of the clients, forty-three, drown when the tsunami hit the home which is just yards from the sea.  Many of them were restrained to their beds unable to do anything when the water rushed in.  The high death toll shed light on the conditions and treatment in the home. 

    Since the tsunami many volunteers and donors have worked to improve the lives of those in the Sambodi home.  A music room has been added, there is a full time doctor, the rooms are clean and painted brightly, and vocational training is in development.  I spent time each day training staff and teachers about Autism and then worked with the clients with Autism.  C.O.L.O.R. was able to provide new sensory equipment, more musical instruments, a new radio, and commissioned a local carpenter to build some vocational and fine motor equipment for the clients.

    The staff and clients at the Sambodi Home are truly wonderful and inspiring.  Despite the tragedy, it is a place filled with warmth and laughter.      

-C.O.L.O.R. Volunteer, Jennifer Longheyer