About us

Meth Mihira Special Education Centre, is run by the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary.

Translated to a ‘’Place of Love and Happiness”, ‘’Meth Mihira” provides day care and early intervention for differently abled young people up to the age of 25.

“Meth Mihira” helps young people to develop their communication and social skills. This programme is built around the needs of each student and allows each individual to broaden their understanding of daily life activities.

The aim of the programme is to educate the Slow learners, Mild, Moderate and Severely Handicapped children, enabling them to achieve their true potential and to be socially integrated in their family and community.

Our vision is to make real what we inherit from Christ.

LOVE

‘’Love for God His Father, Love for each other and love for all people specially the poor, who are abandoned by the world”.

Rev.Father Joseph Triest

With the person at the heart of all,

We try to recognize the inherent richness of every child and young person with learning disability.

We strive to provide the best possible environment and training opportunities to all in our services; Children, Family, Staff, and the Society by working towards broadening their dignity, individuality, choice, rights and dreams and enabling them to their rightful place in society that they may have life to the full and to work towards possibilities.

SCJM Policy in centres and homes for special children and adults:

“I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.” Jn. 10.10

Article 23 of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child:

“A mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full and decent life in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community”.

The Sisters of Charity Services for the Differently abled, child, youth and adult, are committed to supporting them as valued and equal citizens in the country respecting and accepting them for their God-given worth and dignity; and in the light of our Charism, reaching out to them as among the most vulnerable of our society.

In the year 2000 we, the Sisters of Charity came to Koralawella, Moratuwa. This was a year filled with God’s grace. Seeing the great need of differently able children and youth in the families, we walked along the beach, paths and lanes etc. to tell them that they are part of our society. We realized that these differently able children were uneducated, neglected, ignorant and hidden in their families and our hearts were moved with Compassionate Love to give them New Hope; for their lives and to their families.

First, we started a community based programme, teaching them in their home environment on the beach, seated on the logs, gradually in the broken garage close by. As most of these families have been affected by Tsunami, after seeing this pathetic situation, Lillian Fond in Holland donated a beautiful center for the students. In the year 2005 we have shifted to the new center called ‘’Meth Mihira’’ Special Educational Centre.

Governing councils are bodies that govern a Centre, they work with the Directress to help set and monitor the direction of a site. The Governing Council is an important decision making body of the Centre. The Governing Council is comprised of Rev. Sisters, parents, staff members.

An Annual General Meeting is usually early in the 1^st Term. This year, the meeting with parents attending, provided the opportunity for two representatives to formally join the Centre Governing Council. It is certainly not an onerous commitment with little 'work' outside of attending the meetings. Some parents do however volunteer to participate, be involved in running or being involved with Centre activities, such as fundraisers, awareness programmes and out reach.. Its flexible and depends on their avilability.

Meetings are held once per term. Beyond receiving updates on happenings in the Centre and offering management, a parent’s perspective on activity or future plans, it is also a valuable opportunity for parents to understand more about options that are (or will become) available to their children.

By attending Centre meetings, many parents have gained invaluable information not only about the Centre itself, but support and direction when working with external organizations such as Government Departments, NGOs etc.

1. An applicant of whatever race or religion will be admitted if the initial assessment shows that they can benefit from the program offered. However, the Christian ethos of all our centres will be maintained and this is considered important.

2. Consideration is given to every request for help. Whenever possible the home of the child will be visited prior to admission. A period of three months’ probation for the child will be required.

3. Our services in our centers will mainly consider the trainable and educable differently-abled child and young person.

4. The full corporation of the parents and family is required for the maximum benefit for the child from the programme we offer.

5. Those needing special care not provided by our centers will be referred to other appropriate organizations.

It's us who lookafter and guide these talented and beautiful lovely children... together we make them a brighter tomorrow...