Blue Rose Special School
The Blue Rose, a Day School & Training Centre, for the mentally disabled, is situated in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Why Blue Rose and not Red Rose or for that matter, any other Rose? Blue Roses are rare and they are special. They are adored by everyone. So are the special need children. They are special and also possess special qualities which we do not find in any normal human beings. In other words, they are special because they do not possess any inhumane qualities like us. The “Blue Rose” symbolizes these children who should be considered as rare, different and beautiful, thus meriting the love and affection of all of us. . |  The Blue Rose Special School and training Center goes with an all new official website. Click here to visit the website now.
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According to WHO estimates there are nearly 25 – 30 thousand mentally disabled, in the Kandy district, who are in need of special care, training and rehabilitation. However the facilities available in the district at present could cater to a few hundreds only. Hence the “Blue Rose School” is performing a very essential and useful function.
Late Mr. Mervin Alles introduced the idea of a school to his Lordship Bishop Vianey Fernando the Bishop of Kandy, who in turn made available a premise at the St Anthony’s Cathedral Kandy to start the school in 1981. Florence David was the first Principal of the school with Shayama David as the first student. However, with the increasing number of children from time to time , the school had to be relocated several times.
The SCI-SL itself with Mr. Rajudeen as the National Secretary took part in the project in spite of several criticisms of the general membership of SCI saying that the no branch of SCI should get itself involved in such projects on a permanent basis. The SCI-SL helped with funds for running of the school but no funding organization was willing to provide funds for a permanent building unless the project had its own land. Fortunately, Mr. Lakshman Wijekoon, a dedicated volunteer, happened to mention of the need of a land to one of his bank clients, Dr.Cooray, who later donated the land in 1995 where the present Blue Rose building is situated. Thanks to Dr. H.W.M.Cooray and Mrs. D.E.C.M.Cooray.
Today there are 40 registered students, six regular teachers and two part-time instructors for dancing and music. Expert foreign volunteers, particularly from Belgium, Spain, Germany, Slovenia, Finland, etc. have worked for periods ranging from 2 years to six weeks, for the benefit of these special need students.
Students of the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya, visit the school, during their clerkship in Psychiatry, to get an idea of the training and rehabilitation process. Teachers from Government and private schools also attend our training programs time and again. Voluntary workers from other NGO’s have also benefited from this project.
The school has no specific funds and has depended on and continues to depend on the goodwill and generosity of friends and well wishers. Parents of children who can afford to pay a monthly fee have been contributing according to their means. Currently, the school needs nearly Rs: 50,000 per month (500 USD) to pay the staff and other utilities. This was anticipated at the very outset and a trust fund of Rs: 3 million was set up and was invested with the Peoples Bank. Unfortunately the Government reduced the interest on fixed deposits by almost 50% which has left us high and dry with a considerable deficit. Therefore we are once again forced to appeal to our friends and well wishers to make contributions to the Blue Rose Trust Fund so that we can continue our services unhindered.
The school has been registered with the Central Provincial Council and with the Department of Social Services and is managed by the Blue Rose Welfare Society which is represented by the parents, teachers, professionals and members of the SCI.
Late Mr. Mervin Alles introduced the idea of a school to his Lordship Bishop Vianey Fernando the Bishop of Kandy, who in turn made available a premise at the St Anthony’s Cathedral Kandy to start the school in 1981. Florence David was the first Principal of the school with Shayama David as the first student. However, with the increasing number of children from time to time , the school had to be relocated several times.
The SCI-SL itself with Mr. Rajudeen as the National Secretary took part in the project in spite of several criticisms of the general membership of SCI saying that the no branch of SCI should get itself involved in such projects on a permanent basis. The SCI-SL helped with funds for running of the school but no funding organization was willing to provide funds for a permanent building unless the project had its own land. Fortunately, Mr. Lakshman Wijekoon, a dedicated volunteer, happened to mention of the need of a land to one of his bank clients, Dr.Cooray, who later donated the land in 1995 where the present Blue Rose building is situated. Thanks to Dr. H.W.M.Cooray and Mrs. D.E.C.M.Cooray.
Today there are 40 registered students, six regular teachers and two part-time instructors for dancing and music. Expert foreign volunteers, particularly from Belgium, Spain, Germany, Slovenia, Finland, etc. have worked for periods ranging from 2 years to six weeks, for the benefit of these special need students.
Students of the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya, visit the school, during their clerkship in Psychiatry, to get an idea of the training and rehabilitation process. Teachers from Government and private schools also attend our training programs time and again. Voluntary workers from other NGO’s have also benefited from this project.
The school has no specific funds and has depended on and continues to depend on the goodwill and generosity of friends and well wishers. Parents of children who can afford to pay a monthly fee have been contributing according to their means. Currently, the school needs nearly Rs: 50,000 per month (500 USD) to pay the staff and other utilities. This was anticipated at the very outset and a trust fund of Rs: 3 million was set up and was invested with the Peoples Bank. Unfortunately the Government reduced the interest on fixed deposits by almost 50% which has left us high and dry with a considerable deficit. Therefore we are once again forced to appeal to our friends and well wishers to make contributions to the Blue Rose Trust Fund so that we can continue our services unhindered.
The school has been registered with the Central Provincial Council and with the Department of Social Services and is managed by the Blue Rose Welfare Society which is represented by the parents, teachers, professionals and members of the SCI.
Donate
You can donate any amount of money suitable for you to the account of the Blue Rose School welfare society.
Name of Bank: Peoples Bank, Peradeniya Branch, Sri Lanka.
Name of Account: Blue Rose Welfare Society Account Number: 057100181338162 Swift Code: PSBKLKLX IBAN: 7135 |
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Contact Info
Blue Rose Special School & Training Center,
18/A/4,
Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha,
Kandy,
Sri Lanka.
Tel: +94812387188.
email: scisl@sltnet.lk
18/A/4,
Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha,
Kandy,
Sri Lanka.
Tel: +94812387188.
email: scisl@sltnet.lk
