Context
The Serendip Fund (“Serendip”) is dedicated to working with charities and organizations that improve the health, education, and welfare of disadvantaged women and children in Sri Lanka. Serendip’s mission is driven by the generosity of donors from Canada, while also benefiting from support from the UK and Australia, including the Nathanielsz family, their friends and colleagues, and members of the Sri Lankan diaspora.
Serendip’s initial implementing partner is the Challenged Children’s Aid Association of Sri Lanka (CCAASL). Over time, the Fund plans to work with other organizations with similar missions, including those focusing on the health and education of women of reproductive age, newborns, older children, and children with disabilities.
Serendip exists thanks to the long-term commitment of the Nathanielsz family and friends of CCAASL. Arthur H. Nathanielsz, a former Provincial Engineer of the Public Works Department in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), founded CCAASL in 1937. He recognized the urgent need to care for children with physical disabilities whose families could not afford proper care and medical attention. Originally named the Crippled Children’s Aid Association of Ceylon, the organization was sustained through the support of dedicated professionals, as well as contributions from the extended Nathanielsz family and friends.
In 1961, the Association acquired its own property at 389 Kotte Road, Pita Kotte, Colombo, where it established the Sevana Children’s Home and Sevana Special School to serve children with special needs. In the late 1970s, the organization was renamed the Crippled Children’s Aid Association of Sri Lanka. In 2024, the Management Committee updated the name to Challenged Children’s Aid Association of Sri Lanka (CCAASL). Today, the home provides accommodation and care for approximately 50 children up to the age of 18. Many graduates have gone on to become independent, contributing members of Sri Lankan society.
The name ‘Serendip’ originates from the ancient Persian name for Sri Lanka and gave rise to the English word serendipity, meaning “pleasant surprises.” Serendip aims to create many such pleasant surprises for the children and communities it serves in Sri Lanka.
Goals
Serendip aims to continue its collaboration with CCAASL, increasing its outreach to more children each year. Plans include enhancing facilities and services to improve the quality of health and education for those in its care.
Building on nearly 80 years of experience supporting underprivileged children in Colombo, Serendip also seeks to expand its reach to other Sri Lankan charities with similar missions benefiting vulnerable women and children.
With its recent launch, Serendip looks to 2026 as an opportunity to grow its community of dedicated and generous donors. With your support, the Fund can continue to strengthen its charitable impact and create many more “pleasant surprises” in Sri Lanka.
Myriad Canada’s role is to carry out charitable activities across the globe in accordance with its charitable purposes. We control and monitor the use of funds and the progress of charitable activities to ensure that donations made to Myriad Canada have the greatest impact in accordance with donors’ expressed wishes. As a member of the Myriad Alliance with offices in Canada, the US, Europe, Asia and Australia, Myriad Canada has a vast international network and extensive practical expertise.
How to support this project?
By credit card: At the top right of this page, indicate the amount you wish to donate, and make the donation online by credit card. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes by e-mail just a few minutes after making the donation. It is simple and quick!
By cheque:
- Make your cheque out to Myriad Canada.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: We receive a lot of cheques! You must please indicate “Project H504 – The Serendip Fund for Sri Lanka” in the memo line of your cheque to ensure that it is allocated correctly.
- Mail your cheque to: Myriad Canada, 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 1670, Montreal, QC, H3B 2B6, Canada.
By Direct Deposit:
- For transfer instructions, please email or call Caroline Chaulet: caroline@myriadcanada.org or +1 438 300 8122.
For Donation of Securities:
- Please email or call Caroline Chaulet: caroline@myriadcanada.org or +1 438 300 8122.
For Monthly Donations:
- We use CanadaHelps. Please find the link here.
If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
All donations are eligible for a tax receipt in Canada.
The projects are managed with the greatest care and professionalism.