Project information

Start date: 1 January 2013

End date: 31 December 2015

Location: Ampara, Batticoloa and Trincomalee Districts, Sri Lanka

The Challenge

The 30-year conflict caused disruption to livelihoods, education, and health, resulting in high levels of unemployment, illiteracy and poverty in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Children and young people were the most affected, having largely missed out on education and other life skills. Many were forced to join the armed forces, whilst others were extremely stigmatised by their communities. These children and young people were unaware of their rights and at risk of abuse or exploitation.

Our project

With our local partner BCG, this project aimed to improve the quality of life of 4,000 vulnerable children and young people in the 10 poorest divisions in Ampara, Batticoloa and Trincomalee districts. These children and young people were facing exclusion from social and economic activities, with no skills or education, poor nutrition, health and hygiene.

Children and young people were supported through 42 community groups and youth clubs to increase awareness of their rights, especially the right to education, and access skills training opportunities. These peer support networks and training inputs helped the children and young people to access improved health and living conditions, develop greater influence on decision-making and better protection from abuse and exploitation.