Credits
LOMEF
Catholic Overseas Development Agency (CAFOD)
United Church of Canada (UCC)
Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
Qatar Charity
Muslim Aid UK
Buddhist NGOs Network of Japan (BNN)
Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF)
ASIAN RESOURCE FOUNDATION
The Spirit of Caring and Sharing
SRI LANKA
Organization: Community Trust Fund (CTF)
Pre-School Education for Displaced Children
Sri Lanka was once one of the most prosperous countries of Asia but armed conflict broke out in 1983 and brought destruction to properties, damaged the economy and caused hardship and loss of human lives while thousands became refugees. Before the war began, over 15,000 Muslim families had been living along with Tamils in the Northern Province but they were forced to leave the area and take refuge in temporary shelters in the Northwest and North Central districts of Puttalam and Anuradhapura. Children suffered the most as they could not continue their education due to lack of facilities. Approximately 2000 children aged between 4 and 5 are now living in welfare centers in these regions and do not even have the privilege of a pre-school education.
Within this context, CTF initiated a community based development project to provide pre-school education to the children of displaced people. This will ensure their acceptance into government primary schools through the submission of the mandatory pre-school recommendations.
Overall objectives:
Organization: Community Trust Fund (CTF)
Pre-School Education for Displaced Children
Sri Lanka was once one of the most prosperous countries of Asia but armed conflict broke out in 1983 and brought destruction to properties, damaged the economy and caused hardship and loss of human lives while thousands became refugees. Before the war began, over 15,000 Muslim families had been living along with Tamils in the Northern Province but they were forced to leave the area and take refuge in temporary shelters in the Northwest and North Central districts of Puttalam and Anuradhapura. Children suffered the most as they could not continue their education due to lack of facilities. Approximately 2000 children aged between 4 and 5 are now living in welfare centers in these regions and do not even have the privilege of a pre-school education.
Within this context, CTF initiated a community based development project to provide pre-school education to the children of displaced people. This will ensure their acceptance into government primary schools through the submission of the mandatory pre-school recommendations.
Overall objectives:
- To raise the awareness of parents to understand the benefits of a proper education.
- To facilitate opportunities for the evicted community to obtain basic education for their children.
- To provide teachers, stationary, nutritious food and play materials for the children.
There have been multiple areas of achievement in the past few years. These include; the increasing numbers of children admitted to government schools without discrimination; more teachers entered into this program voluntarily to render support to the poor children of their villages; increased and more consistent attendance; and from the socio-impact perspective, villagers are beginning to undertake the responsibility of maintaining the pre-school activities. Four of the principal challenges to be addressed in the coming year by CTF will be the poor standard of health that contributes to absenteeism, involving religious and community leaders in all aspects of village level planning, and addressing the low literacy levels amongst parents.
Organization: Sri Lanka Muslim Women’s Society (SLMWS)
Pre-School Education for Rural Children
SLMWS was established in 1996 and works towards the achievement of women’s rights along with educational and economic development. Centered in the remote rural district of Kurunegala, SLMWS has linked with four other rural districts in attempts to connect Muslim women living in rural areas. Linking education programs with income generating ventures, SLMWS aims to facilitate a holistic and sustainable approach to development by addressing both individual needs and community issues in programming. The set-up of a village library as a part of an education program is just one example of this.
Objectives:
The LOMEF/ARF grant provided to SLMWS supports the pre-school program that has been established by the organization through the provision of funds for the salaries of two pre-school teachers and the provision of teaching aids and play materials for the children. The children are aged from 3 to 6 years old and come from poor farming families who cannot afford to send their children to school nor provide the necessary materials. Currently, a total of 23 children attend the school in the village of Madeenapura, with 23 children currently at the village school of Dodanwatawana. One teacher is responsible for each center.
Women’s Income Generation Program
The SLMWS income generating support program was initiated with the dual objectives of building the capacity of families to support themselves through self-employment, and to focus the attitudes of individuals on the importance of community development. In conformity with the objectives, a total of 38 women from the Kurunegala district undertook training in income generating activities and were provided with initial credit for their supplementary income projects. Out of credit recovery, a revolving fund was generated and the said fund continues to revolve among the group members for their regular income. As such the women’s participation in economic activities has been ensured.
Organization: Sri Lanka Muslim Women’s Society (SLMWS)
Pre-School Education for Rural Children
SLMWS was established in 1996 and works towards the achievement of women’s rights along with educational and economic development. Centered in the remote rural district of Kurunegala, SLMWS has linked with four other rural districts in attempts to connect Muslim women living in rural areas. Linking education programs with income generating ventures, SLMWS aims to facilitate a holistic and sustainable approach to development by addressing both individual needs and community issues in programming. The set-up of a village library as a part of an education program is just one example of this.
Objectives:
- To provide a basic education free of charge to the children of poor Muslim women in rural areas.
- Provide an opportunity for socializing thus ending the isolation imposed on women and children in rural areas.
- Promote the importance of formal education for children, particularly girls.
The LOMEF/ARF grant provided to SLMWS supports the pre-school program that has been established by the organization through the provision of funds for the salaries of two pre-school teachers and the provision of teaching aids and play materials for the children. The children are aged from 3 to 6 years old and come from poor farming families who cannot afford to send their children to school nor provide the necessary materials. Currently, a total of 23 children attend the school in the village of Madeenapura, with 23 children currently at the village school of Dodanwatawana. One teacher is responsible for each center.
Women’s Income Generation Program
The SLMWS income generating support program was initiated with the dual objectives of building the capacity of families to support themselves through self-employment, and to focus the attitudes of individuals on the importance of community development. In conformity with the objectives, a total of 38 women from the Kurunegala district undertook training in income generating activities and were provided with initial credit for their supplementary income projects. Out of credit recovery, a revolving fund was generated and the said fund continues to revolve among the group members for their regular income. As such the women’s participation in economic activities has been ensured.
