Brief History of ChildFund in Sri Lanka

Number of enrolled children (FY12): 19,123
Number of beneficiaries (FY12): 323,233

ChildFund began its work in Sri Lanka with five family helper projects in the districts of Colombo and Galle.  Programmes, which were initially welfare-oriented, evolved into long-term development programmes later. In 2003, ChildFund started to assist conflict-affected communities in Trincomali and later expanded to Batticaloa, Ampara, Vavunia, Jaffna and Kilinochchi.

Brief Programme Overview

We implement Home-Based Care, Centre-Based Care, Nutrition, Health and Protection programmes to ensure that young children grow up in a healthy, protective and developmentally-supportive environment to reach their full potential. Through our education programmes, we create quality learning opportunities for children to enhance their achievements in education. We improve school infrastructure facilities, conduct supplementary classes, train teachers and encourage parents to support their children’s education.

Our youth programme assists youths with acquiring vocational skills to achieve gainful employment.  Leadership and livelihood skills equip them to be confident and become agents of change in their families and communities.

2012 Programme Achievements

healthy and secure Infants (ages 0-5):

Three new ECD centers were built and 20 centers were upgraded to the National ECD standards.  More than 2,400 parents and care givers were educated on primary health care, nutrition and proper stimulation.

Educated and confident Children (ages 6-14):

Infrastructure facilities were developed at 19 schools. Supplementary classes for compulsory subjects served more than 7,000 children.  1,600 children participated in life skills programmes.

skilled and involved Youth (ages 15-24):

440 youths underwent vocational training with the support of ChildFund. 710 youths were given life skill training. Six job fairs were organised with the participation of more than 850 job seekers and 35 job providers.

Societies

1,350 farmer families in the conflict affected area of Kilinochchi were given water pumps to resume cultivation and ensure sustainable livelihoods and  food security.

Challenges

Sri Lanka achieved lower-middle income status in 2009, however inequality in the distribution of income and resources is high. Poverty is mainly concentrated in rural areas of the country.

Malnutrition among the younger generation continues to be a serious health issue in the country.  Although Sri Lanka has managed to achieve a higher percentage of literacy, it has been unable to provide students with quality educational opportunities.  According to the Probation and Child Care Services Department, nearly 180,000 school dropouts are reported annually and youth unemployment is high.

Additionally, rebuilding programmes need to be sustained in order to repair the lives of those affected by the 30-year war, which ended in 2009.

Why Sponsorship is Important

Sponsorship support continues to be the backbone of ChildFund Sri Lanka, with about 70% of funds contributed by our generous sponsors.  They inspire children to grow with knowledge, skills and positive attitudes to become change agents in their families and communities.

Media groups of children and youth in all our Local Partners produce annual newsletters to connect with their sponsors. The newsletters discuss topics meaningful to children and share progress being made in their communities with sponsors’ support. The production of newsletters enhance the children’s confidence, knowledge and media literacy.