The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka

The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, founded by the late Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, is considered to be the largest non-governmental organization in Sri Lanka. Straddling the roles of a grassroots development program, peace movement, social service network, and microfinance scheme, this movement transcends traditional methodologies with people-centered innovations. Driven by values and beliefs inherent in South Asian culture, the movement has spent over half a century engaging millions in the practice of shared work and labor, fostering community and impacting the lives of the underprivileged, rural sections of society. The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement mirrors the axiom, "We build the road and the road builds us," illustrating the powerful potential of cooperative action.

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