Deputy Affiliate Development Officer Ranadewa “Dewa” Fernando just celebrated  his 10th anniversary with HFH Sri Lanka.  He has held a number of positions at Habitat, including administrative officer and national partner, promoting HFH programs in the field.  In his current role, Fernando is in charge of managing information, record-keeping, correspondence and funding requests for Sri Lanka’s 10 non-disaster Habitat affiliates; much of his work involves the Save and Build programs and HFHSL’s partnership with the Southern Development Authority (SDA).

Known for his attention to detail, Fernando has an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Habitat in Sri Lanka.  Here, he reflects on his own career and changes he’s seen at HFHSL.  

The Path to Habitat

Fernando was raised in Ja-Ela, 21 km from Colombo, and still lives there with his family.  Like many great people in “multi-duty” positions, Fernando began his career in that greatest of all multi-duty jobs: as a waiter.  “I took a restaurant and bar course at a hotel school and worked as a steward at a Kandy hotel.  Preparing for my second course, I realized the hotel field was not for me and changed to computer courses.” 

Stints as a data-entry operator and in the garment-buying industry followed. Then Fernando applied to Habitat’s national office.  He began work on January 1, 1996.  “I was attracted to the job because it’s community work at a grass-roots level.  I also liked the free environment that Habitat gave me.”  

The Early Years

Fernando recalls the pre-cease-fire days at Habitat as a time of growth, community development and close staff relations. 

“Until January 1997, there were only three people at the national office.  Then we added a book-keeper and a secretary.”  Until 1998, there were international partners, sent from Americus (Habitat for Humanity International’s headquarters); after 1998 national partners, Sri Lankans, were recruited to promote the programs. 

During this time, large partnerships were formed with organizations like World Vision, USAID, SDA, Heifer International and the Methodist, Anglican and Catholic churches.  The groundbreaking Building in Stages and Save and Build programs were introduced and ran alongside Habitat’s traditional housing program. 

By 2001, eight affiliates were working in 13 districts.  “More than 1,000 houses were built, despite the war in Sri Lanka,” Fernando states proudly.  The growth of people and programs required a new system of “top to grass-root level communication,” as well as staff regulations, computerization and standardization of salaries and benefits. 

Fernando recalls one of his greatest accomplishments during this grass-roots era, when he worked as a national partner in Wattala/Ja-Ela, Moratuwa and Kurunegala: “I was able to organize three homeowner association get-togethers and raised more than Rps. 25,000 in cash and in-kind donations to give gifts to the children.  I am very proud of that.” 

Peace Time Expansion

After the cease-fire, the roots put down in the 90’s and the more peaceful atmosphere in Sri Lanka meant explosive growth in Habitat house numbers (it has built more than 4,000 houses since 2001.)   “HFHSL began concentrating strictly on Save and Build and Building in Stages.  We upgraded our methodology and introduced it to Habitat for Humanity International,” says Fernando.  HFHSL was now one of Habitat’s leading innovators and success stories.

The number of new affiliates slowed, as did partnerships with other NGOs, as HFHSL focused on improving the structure of its existing organization.  “Quality-enhancing systems were introduced in administration and human resources.  Lots of staff training took place.”  And, “staff meetings at all levels” became a way of life. 

Initially, the creation of the Disaster Response program, to rebuild houses destroyed by the tsunami, was a challenge to the regular program staff.  “It slowed the normal programs.  Staff and resources were diverted.”   But, according to Fernando, now that systems for Habitat’s response are in place, “it gives us a tremendous opportunity to achieve HFHSL’s strategic goals of new partnerships and number of houses.” 

Future Plans and New Priorities

“Even if I won the lottery, I’d come to work at HFHSL as a volunteer, ” says Fernando.  He feels useful and content in his current job, but would like to limit his outstation trips from Colombo, which often occur on short notice and with little time to prepare--especially since the birth of his first child (son Ranahesha Migara, on December 29, 2004).  “In my personal life, I want to be a good husband (to Mahesha Suranganie, since 1999) and father, to raise a good family and spend time with them. The happiest moment of my life was finding out that we were going to be parents.”

“He never says no when something is needed, and he does his level best at every job.  
His attention to detail has been critical to the success of our programs.  Most important, Dewa is a friend to everyone.”—Rohitha Fernando, Affiliate Development Manager

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