Udara Sajith’s life story

My name is Ranasinge Arachilage Udara Sajith. I came into the world in Chilaw Hospital on 10^th December. My parents are called Adikaram Mudiyansalage Indrani Jayalatha and Ranasinghe Arachilage Wikramapala. I have three brothers and I am the youngest. I attended the CII/Karakkuwa Sugathananda Maha Vidyalaya School, where I was only able to reach eighth grade.

My father was a carpenter and had a good income. Unfortunately, jealous people set the carpentry workshop on fire and my father was injured in the blaze. After this event we had great financial problems, due to his medical treatment and because we had to compensate customers for their burnt furniture. We were forced to sell land.

Because of this I had to leave school and look for work with my brother to support my family. I did many different jobs and also worked as a construction labourer. For a short while I worked in a tourist hotel. During this time I also began to hang out with others, came into contact with drugs and lost my job. After losing by job, I also had no prospects and was a drug addict.

I then found a job in a bar, but I quickly got used to alcohol, and my brother – who also worked there – became an alcoholic.

During this period my brother was involved in a violent confrontation and was imprisoned for 21 days. I wanted to avenge him, and then myself had to spend 2 weeks in custody. During this difficult time my parents decided to move to the country and my brother joined the army.

Although my father was still suffering the consequences of his burns, he produced incense sticks and wicks for oil lamps. In this very difficult period we got to hear about Sarvodaya, which works in our village, and of the carpentry training workshop.

My father wanted me to learn his trade, and I reluctantly decided to sign up. I arrived two weeks after the training course began. To begin with I wanted to leave the programme several times, but over time my interest in the work began to grow. I got to know the other apprentices and we became like the children of a great big family.

We counted ourselves lucky to be looked after by our teacher Sama Jalage, who supported us and was like a father. We were all equal and no-one was discriminated against.

At home I used to sleep until 10 or 11 in the morning as I had no real perspective of the day. This meant that at first I found it difficult to get up at 5am, but I got used to it. We apprentices did everything together. At home I never made any beds, but here I learnt to make my own bed and to clean our room, the workshop and even the surrounding area. But that wasn’t all – my inner life also became cleaner and cleaner.

In the morning we would gather together for a morning ceremony and sing songs so that we were spiritually refreshed for the day. Our spiritual teacher gave us guidance and leadership without any discrimination, and we could then enjoy our breakfast with a fresh and clean spirit. We were instructed to eat in a decent manner and then to wash everything up.

The daily activities would begin with our lighting the oil lamps of a statue of Lord Buddha and honouring Buddha. Our honoured teacher Mr. Jalage demonstrated the various tools and showed us how to use them. We studied all the joints needed to built furniture and houses.

After a working day we returned to our rooms and after a shower we took part in a ‘family gathering’ with fresh spirits and full hearts. At first I couldn’t even say my name and introduce myself, but through the Sarvodaya training I learned to overcome my shyness. Now I can speak freely.

We also had the opportunity to have fun: songs, theatre and much more. Meditation was also offered. In the evening we would discuss the programme for the following day together. After the evening meal we would all go to bed early, and fall sleep with the prospect of learning yet more new things the following day.

When I began the training I had no idea about ‘inches’, ‘feet’ or ‘yards’. During the training I got to know all the different units of measurement and built a variety of different items of furniture, and all this in a short period of time.

Over the next six months in this training programme I learned to work to a timetable. At the beginning of the training I couldn’t even saw a tiny piece of wood, but now I can build different items of furniture by myself.

I am now an expert and not just a dogsbody, thanks to the training from Sarvodaya. In particular when one the apprentices was ill, we stuck together and were like brothers from one big family. We were all very sad when the training was over. After I successfully completed my education, I returned to my village and worked in a carpentry workshop for last four months.

Although I was now earning my money I began to slip back into my old habits, as I was reunited with my former colleagues. For this reason I returned to the vicinity of the training centre in Matale.

Although I work hard, it is extremely difficult to earn a reasonable living. Sarvodaya gave me the basic knowledge I need.

I would like to learn more, develop new designs and progress so that I can support myself. I am now in a position to build my own shop. However, I still don’t have important machines and tools, and in addition I also need more financial resources to be able to build a furniture workshop.

Thanks 

Udara Sajith