Our journey
Hellabeem began with a dream to make a difference for underprivileged youth in Sri Lanka. Jan van Beek and Helène Heijen, the founders, decided to leave their lives in the Netherlands behind to establish a center in Sri Lanka that would help young people build an independent life despite their physical limitations.
During their travels through Sri Lanka, Jan and Helène were deeply moved by the difficult circumstances facing many disabled young people. This inspired them to establish Stichting Hellabeem Nederland in 2002, with the goal of building a training and rehabilitation center. After years of preparation, they moved to Sri Lanka permanently in 2006 to make their dream a reality.
The opening
In 2007, Hellabeem officially opened its doors to its first group of young people. The campus, located on four hectares of land in southern Sri Lanka, has since provided a safe environment where youth receive rehabilitation, education, and psychosocial support. Today, Hellabeem has become a well-known institution in the region and has changed many lives.
Vision, Mission, and Ambition
Vision
Our vision is to support physically disabled and underprivileged youth in Sri Lanka in building an independent and dignified life. At Hellabeem, we believe that every young person, regardless of their background or physical limitations, has the right to opportunities for development and success.
Ambition
Hellabeem strives to ensure the continuity of its programs and to increase its impact on the community in Sri Lanka. We aim to expand our reach to support even more young people and help them realize their full potential.
Mission
Our mission focuses on three main areas:
- Physical: We provide specialized care, including physiotherapy, psychomotor therapy, and hydrotherapy, and facilitate surgical procedures when needed to improve the mobility of the youth.
- Psychosocial: We create a safe and supportive environment where young people can build self-confidence, develop their talents, and strengthen their social skills.
- Educational: We offer basic education and vocational training tailored to the youth’s abilities. We also assist them in finding employment or starting their own businesses.
The Hellabeem Team
Team in Sri Lanka
Hellabeem is powered by a dedicated team of professionals in Sri Lanka. Under the leadership of manager Thishantha and daily manager Shanika, they oversee the youths’ rehabilitation, education, and psychosocial support. Each team member plays a crucial role in Hellabeem’s success, from therapists to support staff.
Here is an overview of our team in Sri Lanka:
Office:
- Thishantha, Manager
- Shanika, Daily Manager
- Sanath, Office Assistant
- Dayalal, Office Assistant
- Kaveesha, Part-time Office Assistant
Garden Maintenance:
- Sarath, Gardener
- Dhammika, Vegetable Garden Instructor
- Keerthi, Gardener
Security and Maintenance:
- Wasantha, Security and Cow Care
- Dharshana, Security and Handyman
- Chandima, Security and Assistant Cook
- Saman, Maintenance
Kitchen:
- Indika, Cook
- Sameera, Trainee Cook
- Indunil, Trainee Cook and Garden Worker
Therapy:
- Sameera, Assistant Physiotherapist
- Akila, Physiotherapist
Basic Education:
- Miss Kuvindi, Part-time Primary School Teacher
- …. , Basic Education for Children with Learning Disabilities
Vocational Training:
- Subash, Full-time Teacher in Electronics, Computer Hardware, and Phone Repairs
- Prabath, Part-time Drawing Teacher
- Kaveesha, Basic Computer Lessons and Computer Lab Management
Nannies, Hostel and Care:
- Geethika
- Priyangika
- Uthpala
Team in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, a team of dedicated volunteers works hard to ensure Hellabeem’s continuity by raising funds and managing administrative tasks.
Here is an overview of our team in the Netherlands:
Board:
- C. Mars, Secretary
- M.H. Heijen, Representative for Hellabeem Sri Lanka & Fundraising
- J. Schutte, Chairperson
- G. Snijders-Kort, Treasurer
- Y. Born (not on the picture)
Supporting Volunteers:
- Admin Dextera, Accounting
- Barbara Koudijs, Communications
- John de Boer, Communications
- Robin and Shey van Golen, Website Management and Social Media
- Mieke Tekstra, Newsletters
- Welmoet and Sonja, Marmalade making
