‘Seeds of Hope’ is a microcredit project launched in early 2024, aimed at providing tools, plants, and seeds to local families suffering from the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
In partnership with the Realmonte Association and ‘The School for Life’ of Rev. Father Charles Hewawasam, an educational garden model has been developed in the parish garden of Weligama, in the southern part of the country.
To the poorest families in the community (100 in the first 8 months), we provide land, seedlings, seeds, and tools to cultivate a garden at their own homes.
The objective is to enable families to independently produce basic food to support themselves, offer a potential source of income and self-employment, and give them new hope.
NEW PROJECT 2026/2027: 5 COMMUNITY GARDENS
In September 2026, a new project was launched: the creation of five community gardens across five different centres. The aim is to help these facilities become more self-sufficient while improving nutrition, well-being and environmental sustainability.
The project will involve 260 vulnerable people: children with disabilities living at “Supem Uyana” in Hikkaduwa; children who are victims of violence living at the Children’s Home in Halpatota; 75 vulnerable children and young people hosted at Mother Teresa’s Home in Galle; 75 elderly residents at “Vanreeth Home” in Galle; and 20 retired priests and nuns living at the Home for the Elderly.
The residents will not simply be recipients of support: they will actively take part in caring for the gardens, transforming gardening into a tool for inclusion, well-being and horticultural therapy.
Each centre will have a garden designed around its specific needs: traditional in-ground vegetable gardens; grow bags for limited spaces or for people with mobility difficulties; and vertical gardens to make the most of every available surface.
The activities will be supported by a central nursery producing 1,500 seedlings, the guidance of a local agronomist, and the supervision of Father Charles Hewawasam.
An additional idea we would love to bring to life is a recipe book in Sinhala, developed in collaboration with a nutritionist, to promote the use of fresh garden produce and help improve the nutrition of the local community.
