The Colombo Friend-in-Need Society
Image courtesy of Colombo Friends-in-Need Society
Image courtesy of Colombo Friends-in-Need Society
The Colombo Friend-in-need Society (CFINS) was first created in 1831 by British Governor Sir Edward Barnes, and holds the title of the first charitable organization in the country. Initially established as a transit hostel for wounded war veterans, CFINS has created and fitted prosthetic and orthotic devices for over 180 years. As the first Sri Lankan organization catering to the well-being of the physically disabled, CFINS provides devices free-of-charge, and has helped over 12,500 patients with the support of generous donations from individuals and organizations, both national and international.
Image courtesy of Colombo Friend-in-Need Society
Image courtesy of Colombo Friend-in-Need Society
And when traveling to the clinic is not a viable option for patients, the clinic come to them; the organization holds mobile clinics in rural areas of Sri Lanka, and has had great success in reaching out to isolated patients in locales that other organizations have not been able to access. Patients that can travel to the clinic are offered room and board while they are fitted and trained to use a prosthetic or orthotic device. This hostel typically accommodates patients for 2-3 weeks over the course of their treatment, at no cost to the patient.