click here - Stichting Weeshuis Sri Lanka

Allocation of childrenAccording to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Sri Lanka’s southern province had 1369 fullorphans and 4697 half-orphans after the Tsunami. All children housed at the home areregistered and appointed to the home by court order. The National Child ProtectionAuthority(NCPA) is a governmental institution and responsible for the allocation ofchildren to homes and extended Familys in Sri Lanka. The NCPA keeps files on allchildren and inspects the homes.The general rules homes have to meet up to concern the provision of standards oninfrastructural facilities, housing facilities, number and quality of staff, extra educationalprogrammes, financial solvability to guarantee the continuation of the project, integrity ofthe managing Trust, medical services and hygiene.For further information and backgrounds visit:www.reliefweb.int and www.childprotection.gov.lkIndications for entering the home- The age range is set between 3 - 9 years old- As brothers and sisters will stay together, a flexibleattitude is necessary in implementing the age policy.Indications for not entering the home:- Mental or physical handicaps- Infected by an incurable contagious disease- Criminal recordNewly arriving and departing childrenNewly arriving childrenMost of the children are accommodated at the home by probation due to povertyreasons; often caused by the tsunami. Children sent out on the streets to beg, forcedinto prostitution or abandoned by their extended Familys.These children have hardly or not attended school at all and arrive at the SomawathiHome at the age of 8 , 9 years as illiterates. Whereas compulsory education isapplicable, the available school system offers no remedial teaching or extra facilities forthese children and they are expected to attend school according to their age group.For this group of children an educational programme has been developed to bring themas quickly as possible to the appropriate level to attend the regular school system.Departing childrenIt happens that a parent requests custody through a court order. When the courtdecides that the parent is capable of taking care of the children, this is granted. It sohappens that a mother has received custody of her two daughters after working hard forseveral years in the Emirates. The children are now sponsored in the out-homeprogramme and receive a monthly donation and participate in the afterschooleducational programme.The groundsThe plot of land is approximately 30,000 m2.It has been divided into:- Separated living pavilions for boys and girls- Centralized facilities- Education facilities- Sports- and activity centre- Medical care centre14