The power of love

Abstract

Founded on Gandhian and Buddhist principles, the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement for last 50 years ago by Dr. Ariyaratne, works in 15,000 villages for social and economic justice for the poorest of the poor in Sri Lanka. Sarvodaya means "the awakening of all," and Shramadana means “gift or sharing of labor.” Dr. Ariyaratne describes the goal of Sarvodaya as a dual awakening: the awakening of the individual and the awakening of society. "Everybody wakes up” says Dr. Ariyaratne “through sharing labor, energy, resources, and love." Guided by this vision, Sarvodaya seeks to unite all people to work together in building a nonviolent and cooperative society. Sarvodaya has mobilized tens of thousands of people in undertaking housing, water and solar energy projects, food production, preschool programs, legal services, orphanages, child welfare agencies, village banks, and more.