22.04.2009

The ‘Reform and Integrate’ Programme of the MJF Charitable Foundation is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, and quite likely in the world. It offers reformed prisoners who have served their term and are released on parole an opportunity to escape the stigma of their imprisonment and build new lives. The programme is founded on the internationally acclaimed MJF Foundation Small Entrepreneur Programme (SEP) which has changed the lives of an estimated 5,000 people in the most deprived areas of Sri Lanka. SEP is founded on the principle that every individual, however marginalized and poor, has inherent ability; that ability is harnessed and combined with guidance, equipment and other assistance to develop micro scale, environmentally and socially sustainable businesses. Through the ‘Reform and Integrate’ component of SEP, the Foundation is empowering a severely marginalized segment of society. The further manifestation of the programme is that previously high re-offending rates have been substantially reduced with former prisoners gaining, through the programme, an income, an occupation and social acceptance.

The Reform and Integrate SEP programme was launched in Sri Lanka nearly a year and a half ago, with the involvement of the Minister of Justice and the Prisons Department. The programme was hailed as the first of its kind and the first time tangible effort was made to address the severe disadvantage former prisoners experienced after their release. At the launch of the programme in October 2007 the Foundation provided assistance to 14 paroled prisoners and in 2008 a further 22 prisoners were provided the resources required to begin new lives. All have successfully integrated with their communities and are engaged in businesses in fields such as agriculture and carpentry. The stability that this has offered them, their families and their communities as well as the elimination of the possibility of reoffending was noted with appreciation by the Commissioner of Prisons.


On 20th April 2009 Settlor of the MJF Foundation, Merrill J. Fernando made the largest single award under the Reform & Integrate programme by providing assistance to 77 prisoners who were shortly to be released on parole. The Foundation envisages creating 300 Small Entrepreneurs from the prison system alone, and in harnessing their energy and desire to care for their families. In releasing paroled prisoners from the shadow of their past misdeeds and incarceration the Foundation has freed the beneficiaries from the different form of captivity that they usually experienced after their release from prison. Unable to face the rejection of an unforgiving society upto 50% of them repeated their offences and were re-convicted. ‘Reform and Integrate’ has been hailed as an especially effective initiative in countering this serious issue.

 The success of the programme was evident in the past beneficiaries who joined Merrill J. Fernando and the Foundation team at the 3rd Award Ceremony in the Welikada Prison. Lal was one of the first recipients of the programme and was provided a woodworking machine. Using his knowledge of carpentry and his determination to escape his past, he ensured that his business thrives. He has earned enough money to expand his business and has also purchased land to build a home for his family. Voicing the thoughts of other beneficiaries like him Lal stated, “…. if not for the support I received from the MJF Foundation I would have once again resorted to crime as I had nothing, no means to look after my family, nor to get back the life I had.” Although reformed and different personalities after paying the price of their misdeeds, Lal and the other beneficiaries were at first rejected by their communities and sometimes by their own families. However, he and the other 35 previous beneficiaries of Reform and Integrate have been able to prove to society that they are genuinely different and committed not only to their own reformation but also to contributing to their local community and country.

The MJF Foundation Small Entrepreneur Programme was first launched in 2005 to bring hope and restart communities devastated by the December 2004 tsunami. SEP assisted men and women in vocations ranging from fishing to hairdressing in the remote and tsunami affected district of Hambantota. SEP then evolved, creating entrepreneurs in Siyambalanduwa, the most remote part of Sri Lanka, Moneragala, a deprived and under developed part of the country, and eventually amongst prisoners on parole. The role of SEP in seeing communities with hope and rebuilding shattered local economies was lauded as an example of pragmatic and effective assistance. That same principle is carried forward to empower the most severely marginalized communities in a dignified and appropriate manner. The MJF Charitable Foundation is an organization that was established by Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando, its Settlor, to fulfill the humanitarian service commitment of his ethical, family tea brand Dilmah. SEP is a key element in the work of the MJF Foundation and its philosophy of making business a Matter of Human Service.