An ongoing problem

The benefactors, managers and staff at the Homes we support in Sri Lanka work tirelessly for the children, under great difficulty and with very limited resources.
We are doing our best to help, but our assistance goes only so far.  The homes that we sponsor still face a day-to-day struggle, just to keep going.  There are still many un-sponsored children in each home.  Then there are the children in need, waiting to be admitted.

How you can help

Our sponsors have the satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing to the child's welfare, and the child has the reassurance that someone, somewhere cares for them. 

Children's stories

Each child in the homes has a history of deprivation, and often sickness.  Some have disabilities and special needs which may be coped with, but never overcome.
Children are admitted to the Homes on the basis of real need, but we only have the briefest information.
The strain on the civil society and on the Sri Lankan traditional family and social structures are reflected in the diagnoses of children admitted to the homes.    Here are some typical examples...

______________________________________________________________

NAME       xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx

AGE        1 Year and 4 months on admission

CHILD INFORMATION
               Admitted to the Home on .................
               Attends pre-school at the Home

FAMILY HISTORY
               Father has deserted the family.
               Mother has leg amputated

DIAGNOSIS
               Malnourished

______________________________________________________________

NAME       xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx

AGE        3  Years old on admission

CHILD INFORMATION
               Brother and sister sent to the Home by Dr xxxxx from xxxxx Hospital

FAMILY HISTORY
               Father has deserted the family.
               Mother has no means of income and intends going to the Middle East to seek work

DIAGNOSIS
               Malnourished

About 1.5 million Sri Lankans are working overseas, most of them in the Middle East.  While this provides a valuable income stream for families, and for the nation, vulnerable people are also at risk of financial and sexual servitude.

So it’s heartening to know that there are many people who are quietly and patiently working for good in Sri Lanka, including those staffing the homes that we help support.  We at OCAA would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and pay tribute to them.