2022 Oct 27
Disability and poverty are interlinked.
Often people with disability are amongst the poorest and most vulnerable. There is substantial evidence to show that poverty can be a cause of disability; triggers could be malnutrition and poor hygiene/sanitation, co-morbidities, and perilous working conditions.
The national education system has also been inadequate in responding to the specific needs of children and youth with disabilities. To name a few gaps, there’s a lack of suitable infrastructure, teachers who are specially trained to deal with children and young people with special needs, appropriate reading materials etc.
Small Steps with a Resolve!
ChildFund Sri Lanka is a leading child development organization committed to uplifting the lives of vulnerable children and their families, implementing integrated programs in areas of health, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, education, youth employment and entrepreneurship. Programs are designed with child protection as the foundation including supporting and empowering children and young people with disabilities.
In November 2018 ChildFund Sri Lanka launched a three-year-long innovative program ‘Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Sri Lanka through Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) in alliance with ChildFund Germany to respond to some of the gaps highlighted above.
Measuring Impact
The project had the opportunity and privilege to positively impact 852 Persons with Disabilities (PWD), 176 youth with disabilities and 216 children with disabilities, totaling 1,244 lives. In addition, much-needed awareness of issues impacting PWDs was created amongst volunteers and government officers.
But they won’t stop there! There is much more to be done.
ChildFund Sri Lanka, along with its partners, is committed to bringing real change in the lives of those who need our support and look forward to new innovative partnerships and generating more resources from within the country.
ChildFund Sri Lanka is organizing a charity dinner “Sri Lanka Gives Back Charity Dinner and Cricfest” in aid of children and youth with disabilities. The event is focused on the attendance of leaders in public and corporate sectors, non-government organizations, community leaders of international service organizations and other respected individuals. This dinner will consist of several activities such as an auction for a cricket bat signed by the winning team of Asia Cup 2022, a performance by children with disabilities and a cricket quiz session. The focus of this event will be to emphasize the importance of charity and how we can help vulnerable communities through our fundraising initiative.
The event is planned for 04 November 2022 at Ramada Colombo, 7 pm onwards. Tickets can be purchased at Good Market Racecourse on 22 and 28 October at the ChildFund Outlet and also on the day of the event at the venue.
For more information call Geethma on 0715 660 700.
