Building a child's world with knowledge, skills and attitudes:

Business runs in the family

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

It is no surprise to see women climb the business ladder when they come from a business family. This is commonly seen in today's society. Harishini Nawarathne took to business continuing her family tradition. Her liking to engage in business was not purely for commercial purposes. She strongly feels that what she does is a service to the society. She is the founder and proud owner of the Sethmaga Singithi Sevana Pre-School.

Q. What is the type of your business and how did you set about it?

A. I did not start the pre-school as a business venture. The sole purpose was to provide a strong foundation for child development and I consider this as a service. Prior to setting up my pre-school I worked with Sarvodaya.

The experience I gathered was most valuable for me to engage in my venture. Child development is my pet subject. The ambition of all parents is to give their children a stable and prosperous life.

Realizing that the child's future depends on education we have taken a number of steps to impart a sound knowledge for children according to the manner they understand what education is.

It is a known fact that from birth a child undergoes a learning process although a child is admitted to the pre-school as a first step in education. Education is an experience. We strive to provide children with the best opportunities and environment to gather experience. We help to develop a child's physical, mental, spiritual and social progress. Unnecessary pressure may ruin the child's personality.

Q. How do you balance family life and business?

A. I have a daughter, Sewwandi. When she was born I kept away for some time. I know the value of child development and due care was given to her. She is now studying at the Melbourne University in Australia and I devote my time to concentrate on my pre-sc

hool.

My husband too is abroad and he is very supportive. As my venture took only a few hours of the day I was free to attend to my daughter's needs and have quality time with her. I am proud of her for what she is today.

Q. What are the challenges you faced?

A. I started my pre-school with only six children and it has grown in numbers today and has reached 300. I built it gradually and I value the testimony of the parents which enabled me to increase the numbers. I have over 30 years' experience in this field and I gained a lot of experience when I was worked in Sarvodaya. When the numbers increased I had to obtain a bank loan to expand the business. I managed to repay the loan. It was also a challenge to retain the number of children as pre-schools were mushrooming daily.

I never compromise on the quality and standard. It matters the most. It is the secret of my survival. I am happy the way things have moved on.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. My advice is that whatever you do, do it with dedication and determination. It is the key to success. Women are more capable than men to run an organization and they have the capacity.

Q. Being a woman was it an advantage to be in business?

A. Yes. Women are stronger than men. They are creative and capable of maintaining cordial relationships with people. This is vital to be in business. I also enjoy being with children.

It has become my hobby. I derive immense pleasure seeing a child grow in a pleasant environment. I use my wealth of experience in the field for the betterment of children.

Q. What were your achievements in business and family?

A. The biggest achievement is the response from the parents. Some of my past students who are married send their children to my pre-school.

It is heartening to see two three generations benefiting from my venture. I always consider children to be assets. My pre-school is based on community development and community service.

Q. What are your goals?

A. My goal is to help children to take on responsibility. We inculcate in all Sethmaga Singithi Sevana children the value of quality and a balanced personality.

For this we have created necessary environment and given guidance for them. Our efforts are to enable children to act independently with confidence.

Q. What is your contribution to the society?

A. I have contributed to the society by way of building a child's world with knowledge, skills and attitudes.

I have produced children with strong personalities. I have helped children to achieve their childhood dreams. Many are in high positions today.

I still continue to render my service despite being in the retiring age. It is a pleasure to work with children and to be surrounded by them.

I have also trained over 160 teachers in the past few years. They too provide a quality service to the children at their own pre-schools. I have the satisfaction of contributing for a better society.