Sarvodaya’s Living and Learning Centre —
Thanamalwila Sri Lanka

The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement (SSM) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-sectarian people's development movement in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1958, it is a grass roots initiative that focuses on the holistic development of the mind in awakening people to realize their potential as empowered and self-reliant agents of change. SSM work towards a society in which thee essential ‘good’ in and shared labor of every person is harnessed in building communities at every level, for the Total Awakening of All-Sarvodaya.

The Living and Learning Center at Thanamalwila is not the first attempt of its kind in Sarvodaya's rich history of making alternative living an educational experience. The Sarvodaya Development Education Institute at Thanamalwila had its beginnings on June 27, 1972. The buildings were constructed on the 500 acres of land that were obtained on an extended lease from the Sri Lankan government. The Institute offered development education through vocational training, assisted young people in co-operative self-employment programs, gave short-term learning-cum-service opportunities, allowed public and private sector leaders to acquaint themselves with the principles of Sarvodaya, and also trained men and women for community service following the Sarvodaya Village Development Scheme.

The Institute also generated appropriate traditional skills and scientific-technical knowledge to meet the, requirement of Sri Lankan society, disseminated such skills and knowledge among the rural population, and developed a prototype settlement run on principles of democracy, co-operative living and self sufficiency. It was based on an economic foundation of common ownership of the means of production within a spiritual and cultural background consonant with the social aspirations of the people of Sri Lanka.

Physical infrastructure developments: -

Six rooms upgrading and landscaping
1. The accommodation facility already completed inside the six rooms.
(Including bath rooms) Each room bedroom has three-bed facility.
The landscaping activities are on progressive. Lectures and lecture rooms also completing now. Nevertheless, training equipment's and tools should purchase.

2. Utilization of natural resources and practiced organic farming.
The farmland extensive uses for agriculture development. Last maha season (September-March) cultivated 30 acres of white sesame and harvested this at end of February. It was in good demand for confectioneries and sold at Rs.50/= (.5 US$) at farm gate price. However, 200 kg of yield in our hand for next season seeds material.

3. Medical clinic for grass roots peoples.

Medical clinic carried out for low-income grassroots level people. It is very successful and effective. The young medical officers are voluntarily involved at the medical clinic. Large crowds attend the above medical clinic.

Current activities: -

Social infrastructure developments
1. Awareness of the staff members on Living and Learning Center
2. Awareness of 19-farmer families on feature development activities.
3. Physical infrastructure development (Building, Water, Electricity, cleaning etc)
4. Nursery management activities carried out by youth group.
5. Network with public and private sector.

Nandana Jayasinghe,
GEN-SA, Sarvodaya,
98 Rawattawatte Road,
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.