Sri La Sri Paramahamsathasar
Born Govindasamy on 17 September 1941 in Kajang, he was a teacher and community and spiritual leader whose emphasis on education, character and welfare inspired the institution.
ABOUT SSDI
A Home Built on Love, Values and Opportunity
Sri Saradha Devi Illam Malaysia is a welfare home dedicated to protecting and nurturing underprivileged girls through shelter, education, care and holistic development.
About Sri Saradha Devi Illam
A Home Where Care Opens Doors
Sri Saradha Devi Illam Malaysia (SSDI) is a girls’ welfare home in Rawang, Selangor. Since 1998, it has combined shelter and protection with education, practical skills, cultural learning and personal development for girls facing difficult family circumstances.
Our History
From a Founding Vision to a Lasting Home
Sri La Sri Paramahamsathasar, an educator and humanitarian, established a welfare home in Melaka in 1990 and envisioned a dedicated girls’ home named for Sri Saradha Devi. He passed away on 23 March 1997. His followers founded the Rawang girls’ home in 1998; he did not personally establish it.
1998: Six girls moved into a rented single-storey bungalow in Taman Garing, Rawang.
2000: The organisation rented a larger bungalow in Taman Hijau, later leasing an adjacent house.
2025–early 2026: Following a fundraising effort, the property valued at RM800,000 was purchased by early 2026, as recorded in SSDI’s institutional history.
Founding Inspiration & Leadership
The People Behind the Purpose
Stewardship of the Home
Dr. Kumaran Adakalam has served as President since 2012, alongside Honorary Secretary Meenaloshini V. Venugopal. Staff, volunteers, donors and the management committee sustain the institution.
Guiding Principles
Vision, Mission & Values
SSDI’s vision, mission and values guide its commitment to protection, education and holistic development.
Vision
A caring girls’ welfare home honouring Sri Saradha Devi that protects and empowers underprivileged girls through education and holistic development.
Mission
To meet essential needs, support quality education and foster physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development, preparing girls for independent futures and positive contributions to society.
Core values: protection and dignity; learning and self-reliance; character, confidence and wellbeing.
Education & Holistic Development
Supporting the Whole Child
SSDI’s approach combines formal schooling and further study with vocational and practical skills, discipline, life skills, artistic expression and cultural understanding. It seeks to develop confidence, responsibility and pathways towards recognised qualifications.
Formal Education
Schooling and continued study.
Practical Skills
Vocational competencies, certificates and diploma pathways.
Personal Development
Character, resilience, wellbeing and preparation for adulthood.
Educational Philosophy
Kalvi · Kalai · Kalacharam
Education, Arts and Culture form a connected approach to developing knowledge, creativity and cultural identity.
Kalvi · Education
Academic and practical learning build independence.
Kalai · Arts
Artistic disciplines such as Bharatanatyam support expression, patience and confidence.
Kalacharam · Culture
Cultural disciplines such as Silambam encourage focus, respect and heritage awareness.
Current programmes and photographs are covered under Our Activities.
Institutional Impact
Decades of Care and Opportunity
Historical institutional figures (not current live counts):
1998
Rawang home founded.
500+ girls
Supported over approximately 27 years, as recorded by early 2026.
54 residents
Historical occupancy recorded by early 2026; not today's resident count.
For individual awards, graduation announcements and institutional milestones, see News & Achievements.
A Major Milestone
Securing a Permanent Home
When the owner of a long-rented bungalow planned to sell, SSDI mobilised support to protect the stability of the home. The property was valued at RM800,000 and the purchase was completed by early 2026, as recorded by early 2026. This is a completed acquisition, not an ongoing appeal to purchase the property.
Community support remains important for care, education and long-term wellbeing.
Support the Next Chapter
Learn about the home’s work or support the care and development of its girls through donations, Our Activities and News & Achievements.