Founder Secretary-General Rev. Jivanananda Mahathero:
Setting up of a sanctuary for orphans, destitute and abandoned children is not a common philanthropy. Rather it bespeaks very rare and extraordinary human faculty of the founder. It is more magnanimous when the person concerned continues to put in all-out efforts to ensure unhindered upbringing of the inmates struggling against almost insurmountable odds. Indeed, the Orphan’s Home Complex is an example that determination can overcome adversity of any magnitude. It may appear from the disposition of Rev. Jivanananda Mahathero that an easy-going man like him cannot tide over so many obstacles to establish and run such an expensive organization. But what is fact is that the Orphan’s Home Complex set up by Rev. Jivanananda is surviving as a symbol of his challenge to hostile situation. In recognition of his selfless and most commendable services to the have-nots of the area, the Mahathero was honored with a gold medal by Chittagong Divisional Welfare Federation in 1990 and UNESCO Club prize in 1992.
He is a peace representative of Chittagong as selected by the World Peace Prayer Society (New York) in July, 1993. The Mahathero is a member of many international organizations such as (a). The World Congress (New York) (b) The World Peace Prayer Society (New York) (c) Asian Fund Raising Group (Madras, India) (d) International Abolitionist Federation (Paris) (e) Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Barkley, USA (f) International Association for Religious Freedom, Frankfurt, Germany (g) World Peace Council, Japan and (h) World Prosecution of Women Protection Council (France).
Visit to foreign countries:
Rev. Jivanananda Mahathero has, so far, visited a number of countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Honk Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, United States of America and Canada to take part in international conferences. In all such conferences, the Mahathero was very cordially invited and accorded hearty reception.
Publications:
The Mahathero has a facile pen and has, so far, contributed many articles in national and regional newspapers. He is also an author and his publications are (1) Manob premik Joseph Wresinski (2) Jibonalekko Jivananda Mahathero (3) Love the Orphans. As known to many people, the Mahathero is personally a very kind and generous person helping the needy people whenever possible. Under a social development program, he has donated 60 sewing machines to distressed women, many of them are now solvent. It is very important to mention here that he contributed Tk.5000/ to each most needy family to construct low-cost dwelling houses. Moreover, he has also helped some poor families to arrange marriage ceremonies of their daughter. Such charitable activities have ceased to continue for quite a longtime because of non-availability of necessary fund. Under such circumstances, Rev. Jivananada Mahathero is making fervent request to all benevolent persons and charitable organizations at home and abroad to donate fund so that his orphanages, as mentioned above, can again start functioning as before. This is an appeal to help the orphans and other types of distressed women.
Social connection at home:
A social worker and benevolent person out and out, Rev. Jivanananda Mahathero is associated with many socio-economic and religious organizations at home which are:
(a) Principal, Betagi Sarbajanin Ratnankur Vihara
(b) Founder, Betagi Ratnankur Pali College
(c) Vice-President, Bangladesh Bouddha-Kristi Prachar Sangha & World Fellowship of Buddhist, Bangladesh.
(d) Chief Patron, Chandgaon Moha Boudi Society
(e) Chief Patron, Betagi Mohila Samity
(f) Chief Adviser, Rangunia Buddhist Youth Organization
(g) Adviser, Aburkhil Janakalyan Samity
(h) Member, Dharma Rajika Bouddha Anathalaya, Dhaka
(i) Member, Visuddhananda Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Chittagong.
(j) Executive Member, Agra sara Memorial Society of Bangladesh, Chittagong.
(k) Life-member, Chittagong Divisional Social Welfare Federation.
(l) Secretary General, Bangladesh Monk Association.
