BIH Colombo

Boys
Industrial Home, Colombo, Sri Lanka
![]() ![]() ![]() Kerri picked us up from our digs and
took us to an outlet shop. Wow, an embroidered vest
with a £12.99 label for £1.25, sadly I couldn’t find anything else – other than
a couple of cushion covers for Sleeping Indian. My
wallet rejoices..... Huh. Kerri bought a load of underpants for the
Boys Home and then we headed to a single storey, huge mall. There I bought loads
of new films at a dollar each, found a few more bits for the boys and we settled
to lunch. I couldn’t look at Bear’s but enjoyed my biryani.
![]() ![]() We passed a couple
of sites on the way to pick up Harri from school.
![]() After a nice cup of tea, we finished
sorting our gifts for the boys, sweets I hear you
say. The boys have never had a gift for themselves and for once........ Kerri
made us pose with our loot.
![]() We arrived at The Boys Industrial Home
to find the younger ones hard at their homework. A
few of the older ones on work experience were not back yet.
![]() ![]() ![]() A new bunkhouse
is being built for the bigger boys, currently bedding down on the stage
in the hall we had just left. A new shower block – a
real first as the boys had to nip across to the school next door to have a wash.
The new water pipe has been a constant struggle and
is seen as a temporary measure.
![]() The indoor food
prep area.
![]() Pots and
pans.
![]() ![]() Outside cooking
area and plate rack.
![]() The young ones
bunk house.
![]() ![]() ![]() A new boy
arrived today, very poorly and sadly no doctor visit or antibiotics. The average mattress and holes in the
mosquito netting.
![]() ![]() Back in the main hall Kerri called up
each lad, Bear shook their hand and off they went
back to their work, shyly delighted but no ripping in
to their gift. Some promised to take them back to their village on their next
school break, one was going to give his to a school friend the next day for his
birthday. All throat lump producing.
![]() We asked for a
picture with all the boys and one posed with his gift. He would not let
go and gradually they all came to pose, some showed delight, some unable to do
so. Some of these boys have had a tragic start, some have drug abusing parents
and some are orphans.
Established in 1890 by
the Methodist Church of then Ceylon, the Boys Industrial Home, is popularly
known as the BIH. It has been and still is, a haven, not only for orphans but
boys who need to be removed from their present environment; boys from tragic
family situations, caused by various addictions, abuse of parents and abject
poverty.
Sporting successes proudly displayed in a cabinet.
Each Monday Kerri visits for reading practise, she takes each boy a sweetened roll and after they had eaten them we settled to work.
There was time for a little fun.
A real smile.
One or two now chancing a sweet but very slowly.
Kerri and her family do much to support the home and we are thrilled she brought us here.
We each read with a few boys and tried not to have favourites. This chap refused to open his gift until he had completed four books with me. Then he wanted to kiss me in thanks, who am I to refuse. Huge lump in throat, yes, I could have taken him with me........ We donated, hopefully for new mattresses but completely trust the staff to know the needs of the home. We will always remember our time spent with the lovely lads who made us so welcome.
As we left we were given a Thank You card – now a cherished possession.
ALL IN ALL HUMBLING YET JOYFUL SAD BUT THE BOYS ARE REALLY LOOKED AFTER AND CARED FOR |