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Sri Lanka<br />

<strong>Children</strong>’s play showing <strong>the</strong><br />

effect of alcohol on a family:<br />

<strong>the</strong> drunken fa<strong>the</strong>r tries to<br />

rouse his family who have<br />

taken poison to escape his<br />

beatings <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> poverty<br />

caused by his addiction. Sri<br />

Lanka’s children have become<br />

agents of change on this issue<br />

of alcohol-induced violence in<br />

<strong>the</strong> home.<br />

<strong>Children</strong>’s Societies<br />

With <strong>the</strong> support of World Vision <strong>and</strong> with<br />

approval <strong>and</strong> recognition from local authorities,<br />

<strong>Children</strong>’s Societies (membership aged 7–15) have<br />

been established in 13 villages near Pottuvil, <strong>the</strong><br />

main town of Amarai district. They have a<br />

membership of 1,400. A youth forum<br />

(membership aged 16–30) with 140 members<br />

covering eight villages has also been established.<br />

The club structure gives voice to children’s<br />

concerns in villages <strong>and</strong> streng<strong>the</strong>ns <strong>the</strong>ir ability to<br />

take action. In one village where <strong>the</strong>re have been<br />

high levels of alcoholism, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong>’s Society<br />

CRC materials (<strong>the</strong>se ones produced by Save <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong>)<br />

are used to promote awareness. Program planning that fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

emphasises <strong>the</strong> CRC could add impact to <strong>the</strong>se activities. One<br />

community mobiliser requested fur<strong>the</strong>r training in applying <strong>the</strong><br />

CRC, linking children’s societies to income-earning options,<br />

<strong>and</strong> using games or sports with children. 6<br />

The Pottuvil <strong>Children</strong>’s Society, with membership of 110<br />

from one village, involved in a trust-building activity.<br />

<strong>Children</strong>’s societies provide a valuable link with <strong>the</strong><br />

community <strong>and</strong> future leaders.<br />

Photos: Laurence Gray<br />

6 Parbha, P, Home Truths: Domestic violence <strong>and</strong> its impact on women <strong>and</strong> children, Save <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong> UK, 1999<br />

70

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