ULTIMATELY, a society’s claim to civilisation must rest on how it cares for its most disadvantaged members. Does it help them overcome their disabilities, and bring them into the mainstream as productive citizens, or does it lock them up and forget they exist?

For parents, the birth of a child with some form of physical or mental problem is a huge challenge. In Pakistan, the tendency is to first be in denial about this sad reality, and then to keep it away from the eyes of others. Somehow, the existence of a child with special needs is a source of shame. Many parents think the birth of a handicapped child means that their ‘normal’ children might have trouble in finding a husband or wife later on. And our state and society have done little to change such thinking.

In Tangalle, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Navajeevana has been working quietly to transform lives and change attitudes for the last two decades. Appropriately, Navajeevana means ‘new life’, and its holistic approach is unique in our part of the world.

Dealing with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, the NGO has restored dignity to some 40,000 lives over the years.

Conceived and set up by the remarkable Kumarini Wickramsuriya (or ‘Kumi’ to her host of friends and admirers), Navajeevana was first run out of her own house in Tangalle. Today, the organisation’s offices are full of specialists, clients, volunteers and staff, and all areas have wheelchair access.

Several of those who work here were once helped to overcome their own disabilities. Housed in a magnificent building overlooking the sea donated by a philanthropist, Navajeevana is an example of the impact an individual and her dream can make on a community.

The core of Kumi’s philosophy is reflected in her NGO’s mission statement: “Persons with disabilities as equal participating members of a non-discriminating society.” To achieve this goal, she and her team have adopted an all-embracing approach to ensure that no disabled person is turned away.

Supported largely by funds from Dutch and German charities, the organisation is currently expanding its premises.

A brief visit gave me a glimpse of the amazing range of activities going on. From producing prosthetics and orthotics to international standards to speech therapy, experts are busy helping those with special needs. Hand-made wheelchairs for children with cerebral palsy, for instance, would normally cost thousands of dollars in the West.

At the Navajeevana workshop, trained technicians produce them for a mere $400 after tailoring them to the user’s physical dimensions and needs.

For children who come daily to Navajeevana, there are classes in dance, music, English and computers. Kids are prepared to attend local schools where many of them go on to obtain diplomas and degrees. Often, instruction is one-to-one, with students being separated on the basis of their problems and their needs.

They are brought here by mothers who are included in the instruction of their children so they can continue the programme at home.

In fact, one of the most successful components of the Navajeevana approach has been the inclusion of the parents of special needs children. They have been taught that their children are just as special as any other children, and deserve their love and support. A major part of the programme has thus been to train parents to look after their special needs kids.

But perhaps the key to Navajeevana’s success lies in its ability to involve entire communities in its efforts. Its community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programme has 18 field officers and a network of 200 volunteers who work in villages across the area, establishing links with other NGOs and community leaders.

Here they identify people with special needs, provide information and support, as well as skills development and income generating training.

This approach involves the entire community, and makes everybody aware of the importance of helping the disadvantaged. More importantly, this outreach programme helps people too far away to avail themselves of Navajeevana’s services and support.

In 2006, for example, the programme had over two thousand patients actively involved, and this number includes the deaf, the blind, the physically impaired and the intellectually and psychologically challenged.

Here is the story of one life that was transformed by Navajeevana: Pradeepa was born in the remote village of Valasmulla, unable to walk. Doctors said nothing could be done to help, and gradually her parents gave up hope for their beloved daughter.

But soon, Navajeevana got involved. Physiotherapy, combined with a pair of crutches, gave little Pradeepa a mobility she had never had before. When she was nine, the local school gave her admission to regular classes on the condition that if the other children did not accept her, she would have to leave.

On Pradeepa’s first day, she was taken to school by her older brother, understandably nervous about the kind of reception she would get. To her surprise and delight, her new classmates greeted her at the entrance, and carried her into the classroom. They did this every day until Pradeepa passed her ‘O’ level exams.

She went on to Colombo University where her mother got permission to share a room with her daughter, and carry her to her lectures. After graduating, she worked briefly as a computer operator in a garments factory in Galle.

She now tutors students at her village where she is a respected member of the community, and the secretary of the local Disabled People’s Organisation.

Navajeevana is trying to become a self-sustaining institution by generating its own funds. We were shown some very imaginative cards and some pretty shawls made by clients. Kumi hopes that professional designers and marketing experts will volunteer to make Navajeevana a well-known brand in the fashion accessory market.

Other fund-raising activities are also planned.

But it would be a pity if these income-generating plans were to interfere with the institution’s core activities. Presently, donations, mostly from a handful of local and foreign charities, sustain Navajeevana’s activities. However, the high inflation rate in Sri Lanka means that many needs go unmet, and many projects cannot be executed.

Currently, the staff are trying to get a website going so they can share their activities with the world. Should you wish to help, donations can be sent to the Hatton National Bank, Tangalle, Sri Lanka. The account number is 02-0665701-1, and the swift code is HBLILKLX.