Our Story
How It All Began
Friends of Prisoners children started off small with the intention of helping the talented youth mold their own academic futures. It was actually the brainchild of Sr. Immaculate De Alwis & Mrs Priyanthy Dissanayake. They were concerned when prisoners they visited in Welikada expressed their anguish about their children.
So, what started as a simple gesture towards 47 children in 2005 is – thanks to the kind support of concerned citizens and donors from overseas – catering to nearly 380 children at the end of 2016.
Through our interaction with these kids, we learned that to them, it’s not about the monetary support but, its knowing they have the support of the society. Children no longer feel stigmatized as a child of a criminal – they no longer feel that they too are being punished for a crime they did not commit. Their desire to succeed and avoid falling into the cycle of criminality is strong.
We have had many success stories, but the brightest star is one of our very first children. She has completed her honors degree at the University of Kelaniya and is an inspiration all the others. Every little thing we do matters in the large scheme of success in the future. It’s the tiniest of sand grains that make up some of the largest beaches in the world.
Our Patrons
- Shiromal Cooray
- Neela Marrikkar
- Rohan de Silva
Sr Chamari Fernando -Chairperson
Shiromal Cooray – Asst Chairperson
Florine Marzook – Secretary
Coralie Pietersz-Treasurer
Jani Perera – Asst Treasurer
Priyanthi Dissanayake
Shehara De Silva
Lasantha Pieries
Cecilia Muttukumaru
Shewantha Rodrigo
Niranthi Boteju
Amanthi Perera
Dilani Yatawaka
About Founder
Sr. Immaculate De Alwis
Some years ago, I met Sr. Immaculate De Alwis at All Saints Church in Borella. She greeted me in her own inimitable style, with her warm, welcoming joyous smile and that little twinkle in her eye. She held both my hands, looked me straight in the eye and told me about the little project she was doing with Priyanthi at the Prisons. She was collecting Rs. 6,000 from anyone who cared to listen to her and wanted to support the cause she detailed to me so passionately.
I have known Sr. Immaculate for almost 5 decades. I was one of her students at St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo, when she was its dynamic Principal. She instilled so much discipline into her pupils and though strict and firm, was extremely compassionate, caring and very understanding. Of course no one looked forward to being summoned to the “Principal’s office”.
I had met her from time to time after I left St. Bridget’s. Each time she was involved in some activity assisting and empowering the marginalized in society, especially women. It could be working with the “juki girls” in the Free Trade Zone, counseling limitless number of youth and females, taking care of single mothers etc. etc.
However, this meeting was different. She managed to stir my emotions and asked me to get involved and help her in this project. She was working at the Welikada Prison and identifying children of prisoners who have been condemned for life or for many years and providing them with a monthly fee so they could continue with their education. Over the ensuing years she managed to convince an entire army of mainly exBridgeteens who rallied around her to continue with her noble initiative. A kind gesture that was started giving way Rs. 6000 per year to ensure an innocent child’s education is not disrupted because one or both of his/her parents were imprisoned has now grown leaps and bounds. This informal “gathering” was formalized as “Friends of Prisoners Children “ and we now contribute Rs.18,000 per year to approximately 300 children of Prisoners at Welikeda and Magazine prisons. She did spend a lot of time with the children and their care giver and arranged many events to help make their lives less stressful and to make them feel inclusive and not ostracized in society. She continuously explained to them the importance of an education and encouraged them to pursue their chosen passions even after leaving school. Whilst doing this she also gave the opportunity to us, her former students to share our time with others and to actively engage in helping those that most need us.
She has touched and enriched and empowered many lives and I am eternally grateful that I was one of those privileged.
Thank you Sr. for being such an exceptional human being, though born into privilege you gave it all up and educated a generation of girls and now even boys who will always have you close in their hearts.
May God Bless you and keep you in good health!
Shiromal Cooray
Managing Director – Jetwing Travels (Pvt) Ltd.
Messsage From Chairperson
Sr. Chamari Fernando
No One Left Behind Uneducated…
I am Sr. Chamari Fernando the newly appointed chairperson of this worthy mission. ” Friends of Prisoner’s Children” was initially founded by Rev Sr. Immaculate De Alwis; it was initiated in year 2005 and became a fully fledged association in 2006. It is her passion to help and support the poorest of poor parent’s (who are condemned to death or convicted for long term sentence) children. I am most honored to have been granted the privilege to carry out this vast mission. I pray we multiply our services and hands in need further more with years to come.
“Friends of Prisoner’s Children” who are granted as the name says it are a group of members who grant the permission to sponsor children whose parent/s are imprisoned for crime/s. we provide these children with financial aid to continue their education, provide necessities along with required resources. We make sure to check up on these children through phone calls and letters of their progress in education as well as entrusting spiritual guidance to protect these children so they do not get further mislead or fall more into trouble. In future I am planning to have personal one to one conversations with inmates regarding their issue/s, situation/s faced and their areas in need.
I would like to give my special thanks to all our committee members mostly being Bridgetians who dedicate their time and energy into finding sponsors and sorting as many lives of children as possible. It is through their support that I am able to make this grave mission a prosperous one.
As my only request I would like to invite any one of you who is interested to be a sponsor and join this Holy cause. Finally I would like to give you all my Heartiest Prayers and the Brightest of Blessings in God’s Name.
May the Almighty God Bless & Prosper You All.