As a social service worker from her young days, and following the footsteps of her father, Dr.F.D Concy Perera was always keen to help those who were less fortunate. She felt a deep sadness going through her veins as she flipped through a newspaper or watched the news on TV. Everywhere poverty was prevailing and people were suffering. And she wanted to help in some way. There were certain individuals who laughed and opposed her ideas, thinking that she could never make it, but stopped in their tracks when her ideas were gradually put in to action. She is another strong woman who has the passion, will and courage to give something to the society from what she has gained.
Music and songs
To follow her passion she also started music at a late age, but it didn’t stop her from releasing a few singles. These included Bethlehem puren, and it became quite a sensation on YouTube. She has released several songs up to now, and, according to her, all based on the most important moments, people of our life. She has released songs for Father’s day titled Adara Mage Thaththa and Udagiren paya ena for Children’s Day. Music was provided by Jagath Wickramasinghe. Buduhamuduruwane, and Mage daruwo . are two other songs by her.
Recently, she released another song titled Ranaviru Abhimane.
Her involvement in music was merely to relax from her busy and stressful life and to soothe herself. As a busy entrepreneur and a businesswoman, she finds this absolutely satisfying and relaxing. Apart from that, she tried out her performance skills in Udayakantha Warnasuriya’s Asai mama piyambanna at his invitation, and stunned the audiences through her acting skills as well. Her parent’s charity work awe struck her , and from a very young age, she was keen to help people, and dedicate herself to social and charity work.
Set up in 1985
The Jeewa Foundation, was mainly established as a social service organisation and also to encourage underprivileged students to pursue with their higher studies, and to be of some help to the poor and needy. It was established in 1985, and it continues with its service to the nation to rebuild and see a better future. It stands tall among other welfare organisations on an independent journey of its own.
This as a non –profit organisation has done a large number of social service activities w and has received many accolades and praises for the hard work they are doing.
Dr. F. D. Concy Perera With the donations which they receive from their patrons and other organisations and under the guidance of Dr.F.D Concy Perera , who is the Founder and Chairperson of the organisation, and has been involved in social service work for more than 40 year the Jeewa Foundation forges ahead. She can be seen as an inspiration to all women, to never give up and stand on their own feet and plan their success without depending on anybody else. It is amazing to know how much she as a lone woman had to go through, bringing up her children as a single mother at the same time. One might think that she has nothing to worry with her wealth, but little do they know how much she had to sacrifice to come up to this level as a single mother. It was not an easy journey she had to come across- there were many obstacles, challenges and discouraging remarks to put her off her track. She was criticised, insulted, cheated on and stopped from what she was trying to do, just because she was woman. At a slow but steady pace, she moved on with her top priorities and what she wanted to do with life. She was a person who never wanted to boast and brag about what she was doing, and be in the limelight , but instead she did a silent service by helping people and looking to their needs.
As one of their efforts to uplift the educational and financial level of the common people, the Jeewa Foundation along with the Sanyodaya institution conducted a training program for both children and adults of the estate sector, under the theme of ‘I’m also a leader’.
Apart from the lectures and training sessions, Jeewa Foundation also gifted some English and Tamil books to enhance their knowledge in both languages.
At the same time to show the importance of nature, 100 Jack tree plants were also distributed. Pushpa Ramyani De Soyza , Head Nurse , National Hospital of Sri Lanka , distributed face masks among those who participated , while Athula Patabandige , gifted books to enhance their education.
The Jeewa Foundation specifically extended their valuable support by bearing the full expense of bringing lecturers and speakers, including other expenses. In other words, it was the Jeewa Foundation which organised this event. The training program was conducted from 10 am to 4 pm on the January 9, 2022, at the Sanyodaya Educational Training Institute in Kandy. The main purpose of this training program was to uplift the children and adults of the health sector, under the theme ‘’ I’m also a leader’’. One hundred and fifty people were selected for this program from 12 areas including Kegalle , Galaha and Kandy . Dr.F.D Concy Perera, Visharadha Jagath ickramasinghe and Pushpa Ramyani De Soyza , Head of Nurising Staff , National Hospital Colombo , participated as chief guests. The other guests included Sadeesh Krishnapillai, (Lecturer, University of Jaffna, Radio Journalist, Columnist, Media traveller and sworn translator, Colonel, Head of Sanyodaya Institution, Rev. Fr.Rashmi Madushanka , the Jeewa Foundation, Athula Patabandige , and Pushpa Ramyani De Soyza helped in distributing the gift items. This was an experience where the estate sector did not have before, and this was a special day for them as they did not only have something new to learn but were also entertained and equally treated.
As she explains the process of the training program , Dr. Concy Perera speaks fondly of the reactions and blessings which she keeps receiving from those whom she has helped.
She says it’s a pleasure for her to help such people and see the joy in their faces.
This was only one of the many charity projects which the Jeewa Foundation had done to uplift the financial and social needs of many underprivileged people, and give a ray of sunshine to their lives. There are a countless number of individuals and small scale businesses who have benefitted through the help of the Jeewa Foundation. The Foundation’s only hope is to continue its legacy as a social service institution and look in to the needs of the poor and the needy, and enhance their lives into a better position.