The Clarendon Foundation, also known as “FRIENDS,” has been working toward a better future for the poor and underprivileged children in Sri Lanka since 1989. They are currently gearing up for their Annual Fundraiser that will be held at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 2nd, 2024.

We spoke with Manilal Fernando, the Founder of the Clarendon Foundation and the Sri Lanka Foundation’s 2024 President’s Award Winner. He told us about the Clarendon Foundation’s current projects to help the youth of Sri Lanka. The Clarendon Foundation’s mission is “To help the poor and the underprivileged in Sri Lanka, especially the children, through our financial assistance; and to raise funds in the United States and elsewhere to be able to do so.”

The Clarendon Foundation has volunteer positions for the Sri Lankan-American community to give back to Sri Lanka through fundraising and charitable giving. He stated that 100 percent of the funds raised are utilized for programs that take place in Sri Lanka. The Clarendon Foundation gives donors a vehicle to be part of worthy causes.

Since 1989, the Clarendon Foundation has dedicated over 5 million dollars of monetary resources towards charitable projects in Sri Lanka. Their ongoing assistance consists of providing over 1,500 meals per day for children, educational assistance, and transportation in rural areas. The Clarendon Foundation has provided continuing assistance to 110 children with cancer, helping more than 500 different children over the past 25 years. Other assistance has included heart surgery for children and other medical assistance. The Clarendon Foundation’s projects also involve building homes and infrastructure throughout the country and other charitable projects.

To learn more about the Clarendon Foundation, volunteer positions, or donation opportunities, you can visit their website here: https://www.clarendonfoundation.org/