During Bhante Sujatha’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2012 he met a poor family from the town of Galagedera.  The family of four had been living in a small mud and stone house for many years after inheriting a small parcel of land.  The father, a laborer, is the only income earner in the family has been slowly developing the house.  Money is tight, and has become more scarce since his wife’s mother moved in to the house more than six months ago.  When he met Bhante, Mr. Udahagamagedera asked Bhante for help to finish the house.

When Bhante went to visit the house, he found a work in progress.  The house was lacking windows, a floor, proper doors, plumbing, electrical conduit and so on.  The family has been living in the living room together as construction on the other rooms has been progressing, but without windows, and proper doors and floors, the elements don’t have a hard time finding their way in.

Since then, Bhante has been raising funds to help this family realize its goal of finishing the house.  So far, money has come in for concrete and cinder blocks, plumbing lines, windows and door frames.  The family is hoping to plaster the walls next, followed by the floor, and fixtures.

The estimated cost to finish the house is about USD $3,000.  Bhante hopes to be able to get the support for the family to complete the house before the end of 2013.