Strong sTART

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.

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has exacerbated issues like malnutrition, limited healthcare, and educational shortages, particularly in rural and coastal regions. The ongoing challenges have led to increased child labor, absenteeism, and dropouts. A lack of teachers further strains the education system.

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 Outcome

We have received a fantastic interim report from GSIF on the successes of the project so far! We are ecstatic to announce the following outcomes:

• Salaries were provided for four community facilitators to work at Child Friendly Safe Spaces (CFSS) for one year, where over 200 children aged 5–16 now have a safe, nurturing environment to gain confidence, improve academically, and learn about their rights through engaging workshops, competitions, and community initiatives. Community facilitators play a vital role in organizing educational sessions, supporting at-risk children, and fostering social connections through family visits, school monitoring, and advocacy efforts. Over 90% of participating children expressed satisfaction with the CFSS teaching approaches and activities. These programs significantly improved academic performance, with 96% of students surpassing the passing grade.

• Community facilitators also supported social workers by gathering information, identifying community challenges, and preparing reports. They conducted home visits to address children’s issues, particularly those affecting migrant families, aiming to reach at least 50 families per month across three villages in Thattumune. School visits were conducted to monitor academic progress and identify children not attending classes. For instance, four dropouts were identified and successfully re-enrolled in school this year. Beyond education, the project also strengthened women’s empowerment—helping 130 women achieve financial stability through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and income-generating activities.

• At Pudukadu School in Balangoda’s Tea Estate community, significant educational support was provided to 138 students in grades 6–11, focusing on key subjects like maths and science. After-school coaching, seminars, and interactive learning camps led to a 96% pass rate in final exams and overall academic improvement. Additionally, five seminars were held for 15 students preparing for the government scholarship exam, with one student successfully passing after many years.

• Alongside this, a mid-day meal programme was reintroduced, addressing the hunger crisis worsened by COVID-19 and economic challenges. Daily food provisions boosted attendance, engagement, and overall wellbeing, ensuring students stayed focused and happier during their studies. The project provided meals for three months.

• Twelve workshops on reproductive health awareness were conducted, reaching 170 students. These covered a range of essential topics, including understanding the reproductive system, puberty and hormonal changes, menstrual health and hygiene, sexual and reproductive rights, prevention of unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Post-test quizzes showed that all participants gained a clearer understanding of reproductive health, with significant improvements in knowledge about healthy relationships, puberty, and overall wellbeing.

• Reusable sanitary pad packs (four per pack) were distributed to 210 girls. A health instructor demonstrated the proper and hygienic use of the sanitary towels and explained their benefits. The reusable sanitary napkins have proven extremely beneficial for children in these areas, offering a more economical and sustainable alternative to disposable pads.

• Daily extra classes were conducted at 11 sites, benefiting nearly 1,200 students across the Valachchenai coastal community. This project also funded the salaries of two teachers to run extra mathematics and science classes three days per week over one year in Thattumunai. This initiative contributed to a 90% pass rate in term exams. At Mankerney, all O/L candidates successfully advanced to A/L studies, with ten students excelling, three completing their A/Ls, and one securing university admission.

We look forward to hearing more from GSIF at the end of 2025 to hear more about how their incredible work on this project has progressed!