Strong sTART
• Sri Lanka •
• 2024 •
• In Partnership with Good Shepherd Sri Lanka •
The Issue
This project focuses in on multiple coastal towns & tea estates in the Batticaloa District of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. The Batticaloa District suffered extensive damage during the nearly 30-year ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The years of civil unrest have hindered educational opportunities in coastal towns of Vaharai and Mankerny, with the current generation of parents having limited education, livelihood, and social protection. In addition to ethnic conflict, both Vaharai and Mankerny were devastated by the 2004 Tsunami, frequent typhoons, and flooding, which make rehabilitation and livelihood restoration more difficult.
These have all had a profound impact on the education, health, and wellbeing of children. Girls especially face many difficulties in their health needs & rights; due to lack of sanitation, sanitary products & water availability, they face many challenges in coping with menstruation. Cultural stigma is another barrier preventing young girls seeking help for reproductive-related needs – teachers and students alike often feel embarrassed to discuss these issues too.
A multifaceted intervention is essential to bring desired changes in the lives of children, especially girls and women. This project aims to support them in realising their potential and improving their quality of life.
The Project
This project seeks to reach out to children in remote communities that are underserved and at risk of neglect and abuse.
The project focusses on children aged 14 to 18 years, who are especially vulnerable to early marriage, child abuse, and child labour. It seeks to impact knowledge about child rights, enabling children to identify situation where they feel unsafe and to empower them to be confident to say no to all forms of abuse.
The project aims to set up Child-Friendly Safe Spaces (CFSS) programs, where children engage in activities that enhance their skills and knowledge and empower them to recognise potential risks/abuse and advocate their rights. In addition, CFSS ensure that children complete their compulsory education. Through career guidance, the project aims to increase these children’s desire to pursue vocational training and higher education beyond compulsory schooling.
Recognising parents as primary caregivers, this project seeks to also seeks to provide skills & knowledge parents can use to protect and care for their children. It will also engage with local and district government agencies working on child protection issues to help create a safe community for children.
The Outcome
We will be evaluating the impact of this project in 2025.
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