THE SEVA VANITHA ARMY BRANCH (SVAB) on the directions of Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya has launched the project “Brave Hearts” in order to house totally disable war veterans in a “Wellness Resort” that provide lifelong care to heroic soldiers
MISSION
To provide lifelong care for totally disabled war heroes.
BACKGROUND
Present statistics show that there are approximately 300 plus soldiers who became totally disable with multiple injuries. Those injuries range from spinal cord, brain damage and many other disabilities such as amputations, impaired hearing, vision, speech defects, paralysis and so on.
Most of these War Heroes are in their prime youth with a full life span ahead of them, but with permanent disabilities. The majority of them are wheelchair or bed ridden or have impaired mobility, requiring a variety of assisting devices. Therefore post injury care is vital for their survival. However, most of these veterans face difficulty once they go home, as the infrastructure at home is inadequate to accommodate their needs. Most importantly, specialized nursing care needed by some, cannot be obtained at domestic level. Majority of them are from very rural areas that lack even basic needs and some do not have proper shelter, either.
This is a very “special community” in our country that has taken over a magnanimous burden in the name of the country and are now burdened with traumatic experiences.
OBJECTIVES
To honour and empower War Heroes who are totally disabled
To provide them with lifelong medical care
To ensure they have the best of comforts
To make them feel cared and loved by society
To let them know we have not forgotten their great sacrifice
To ease their families of day-to-day stress
To cure their “mind and will”
To provide customized recreation & entertainment
To give them hope & confidence
To give them a sense of belonging
THE PROJECT
The war veterans will be housed in a “Resort” type wellness center with all comforts and facilities. The first “Wellness Resort” at a cost of approx Rs. 200 million will be built in Anuradhapura Nuwara Wewa lakeside where 50 veterans could be accommodated at a time. Subsequently, a few more centers will be set up at regional level with the funds generated thereafter.
THE CENTRE CONSISTS OF :
An administrative centre, Visitor center with accommodation, Accommodation for bed ridden soldiers with severe injuries (brain, upper spinal cord, etc) in wards which are closely supported (8 No’s Rooms each with 4 Beds & TV facilities), Accommodation for injuries to brain, spine, limbs, yet ambulant with assistance (5 Nos of two Bed Room Villas each with 4 person Accommodation), Health room consisting of Physiotherapy / Hydrotherapy / Counseling rooms / Ayurvedic treatment, laboratory, recreational centre that includes library, theatre, spa, religious centre, music room, games, etc. Kitchen and house keeping unit, staff quarters for doctors, nurses, officers and minor staff.
FUNDING & ACCOUNTABILITY
Funds and expected through generous donations from the public, Sri Lankans living overseas, the corporate sector, and well-wishers. The sponsors are free to donate a lump sum or sponsor a building as per the architect’s plan (eg : a villa for four injured soldiers, physiotherapy unit, etc). Branding will be permitted for such sponsors. A special Bank Account has been opened at Bank of Ceylon. Remittances can be made to :
Bank of Ceylon , Address
:
Dr. Wijewardane Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
Branch
:
Lake House Branch
Account Name
:
“Brave Hearts”
Account Number
:
9846026
Telephone
:
011 2 343 953 / 011 2 541 404
Email
:
sevavanitha@mail.army.lk / sevavanitha@yahoo.com
Website
:
www.army.lk / sevavanitha
Progress of the project and status of funding will be available ‘online’ through the special website. The website will be linked to “www.army.lk/sevavanitha”. An audit report will be published annually and available online through the website. The Seva Vanitha Branch will appoint a board of advisors from the civil society to provide their specialized knowledge and industry expertise in this connection.
SUSTAINABILITY
The “Wellness Resort” will be fully owned and managed by the Sri Lanka Army.
An Executive Committee appointed by the Commander of Sri Lanka Army will facilitate the project.
For further information, please contact ;
Seva Vanitha Army Branch :
Sri Lanka Army Headquarters
P.O Box 553, Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
