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Sewalanka Foundation would like to thank the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for a professional and productive partnership that began in 1994.

Over the past ten years, the partnership has implemented Rs.198 million in Micro Projects for resettling communities in Government-controlled and LTTE-controlled areas.

Letter by Mr. N. Wright, UNHCR Representative in Sri Lanka.

Sewalanka’s Chairman, Mr. Harsha Navaratne explains that the essential work provided by Sewalanka Foundation was only possible with the commitment of UNHCR. “When Sewalanka began, UNHCR were one of our first partners – together we were able to provide humanitarian assistance to meet the immediate day-to-day needs of conflict-affected communities. The aim of all support was to restore livelihoods of people who were displaced, often more than once, by the conflict. The core component of the partnership was the promotion of civil society participation in all project development and implementation through the strengthening of new or existing community-based organisations. Sewalanka will continue its commitment to these communities as our programmes shift from emergency relief to sustainable development; the impact of UNHCR projects has established the basis for these new projects and partnerships.”

As the Project Team states “the Children’s Club aims to provide a place for children, who are affected by the conflict, to get together and socialize with each other. The project is happy if children can enjoy themselves singing, drawing and playing with friends during the weekend.” As well as providing music and art classes, children can attend Tamil and English classes held by a local resource person – the kids are excited by the Tamil classes as it will enable them to talk with their peers in the next village. As part of the program, children’s enjoyment is paramount, so the teaching style is very different to normal school. For instance, children learn English by talking with their friends and singing English songs rather then by rope learning.

The Children’s Club activities also encourage a sense of community through developing skills in Leadership, First Aid, and Communication and Relationship Management. Thirty-two children attended Leadership training in August 2003 and the First Aid training was conducted by a local doctor. Sewalanka also conducts institutional development training for the club.Trained children are now more active and determined to carry on their activities.

Graph outlines the funding received from UNHCR and the number of beneficiaries.

All the activities of the club are discussed in the weekly meetings held every Saturday afternoon. The children have elected their own Chairperson and Secretary who guide the meeting with advice given on the process of decision making by a Sewalanka Field Officer and male and female volunteers. The club’s chairman, Chaminda states that, “..through the club’s activities, we including our friends are more confident to speak in front of friends, teachers and even visitors.”

organisations. Sewalanka will continue its commitment to these communities as our programmes shift from emergency relief to sustainable development; the impact of UNHCR projects has established the basis for these new projects and partnerships.”