Sarvodaya Sustainable Development
Sri Lanka
The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement is the largest people's organization in Sri Lanka. Sarvodaya is Sanskrit for 'Awakening of All' and Shramadana means to donate effort. It began in one village and has grown to more than 15,000.
After the destruction brought by the 2004 tsunamis, the Sarvodaya Grassroots movement, founded by Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, sought to rebuild the country from a foudation of peace, education, and sustainability. The Vishva Niketan community programmes in the villages and institutions of selected districts operate in five stages: Mind-body centred personality development, Development of life skills, Education for life, Sustainable social development, and Spiritual development. The environment, food, water, housing, health, education, spiritual and cultural needs, transport facilities, communication, and power are the ten basic human needs identified by Sarvodaya. Upon reaching the fifth stage the Meth Sith Sambediyo will identify one of these ten basic human needs that is crucial to the well-being of all the villagers (eg. solar energy system, a pre-school building, latrines etc.) and submit a proposal to Vishva Niketan for assistance to satisfy that particular need. In collaboration with the Social Empowerment Division of Sarvodaya Sangamaya, Vishva Niketan will provide Meth Sith Sambediyo with material assistance to meet these basic needs.
Status: Critical
Sarvodaya is also involved in emergency aid for thousands of displaced people due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka. Click here to read a letter from Sarvodaya and learn how you can help.
Donations can be made through PayPal or wire transfer: www.sarvodaya.org/donate
Or you can mail a check to:
Sarvodaya Headquarters
No 98, Rawatawatta Road,
Moratuwa , Sri Lanka
Additional Resources
Videos:
Nipun Mehta and A. T. Ariyaratne
Articles
WashingtonPost.com: End Game in Sri Lanka: FAITH IN ACTION
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Yes Magazine: Letter From Sri Lanka :: The Sarvodaya Movement
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Desicritics.org: Sri Lanka: An Opportunity for Love
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IGNCA: Sri Lanka and the Sarvodaya Model
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Culture Mandala: The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka
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Statement by Sarvodaya on End of Violent Conflict
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Books
Sarvodaya: Its principles and programme
by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Revolution under the breadfruit tree: The story of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and its founder Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne
by Gunadasa Liyanage
Dharma and Development: Religion as Resource in the Sarvodaya Self-Help Movement
by Joanna R. Macy
Humanitarian Crisis
Letter from Sarvodaya
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BBC: Sri Lanka Tamils 'facing misery'
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The Sunday Times-Sri Lanka: Recipe for Relief
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Nutrition Assessment Survey from Sarvodaya
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