ChildFund Sri Lanka transforms lives of communities in Batticaloa with water, sanitation facilities

Towards its ongoing commitment to transformative Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) interventions, ChildFund Sri Lanka has successfully concluded a two-year project ensuring water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities in the Vavunativu Divisional Secretariat in the Batticaloa District.

For communities in the area, the scarcity of water for drinking and washing was a significant issue. Having been affected by the war, these communities experienced further challenges exacerbated by seasonal effects of drought and floods and limited water sources due to the geographical ground water level. Their health and children’s education also suffered due to lack of access to clean water. 

Bringing water to these communities, the ChildFund Sri Lanka project strove to enhance the health status of especially marginalised and vulnerable children and their families through the provision of pure drinking water, hygiene facilities and practices in several locations. Beneficiaries of the project included six villages and 30 schools comprising over 5,000 children and nearly 8,000 adults in Batticaloa district.

The ‘Water and Sanitation in Schools and Communities in Batticaloa District – Phase 2 Project’ has ensured a community-based water supply scheme where residents of Kothiyapulai now receive water direct to their homes through individual connections. The project also provides water and sanitation facilities for six learning centres and 30 schools in the Vavunativu division and helps families apply proper health, hygiene, and sanitation practices after the completion of awareness programs. 

ChildFund Sri Lanka Business Development Director Dinantha Thambavita said, “At ChildFund we understand that poor access to safe drinking water, lack of sanitation facilities and good hygiene practices in school poses significant challenges to child education. Together with our partners we have been able to collaborate and improve lives with the promise of ensuring improved health outcomes and school performance.” The project was funded by ChildFund New Zealand (Rs. 66,053,668) and implemented by ChildFund Sri Lanka together with Action Unity Lanka. Conceptualisation and design of the interventions were conducted by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) together with ChildFund Sri Lanka and Action Unity Lanka.

“I was delighted to be here to participate in the inauguration of this very practical project. The installed health and sanitation units are very important towards the health and welfare of these children. I am very pleased that New Zealand has been able to provide these donations and help these children ensuring a healthier future,” noted New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Michael Edward Appleton. 

Stakeholder respondents from government institutions, school principals and teachers, the area Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and officials from the Manmunai West Divisional Secretariat also supported the project. 

The success of the project was also due to collective efforts of other donors and sponsors including the Rotaract (Rotary) Club of Colombo West who sponsored the cost of one school and donated stationery to schoolchildren during COVID-19. LSEG Technologies, Connect 2012, United Book Centre, individual donations from Chamal Kuruppu and Hasithi Samarasinghe, supported two schools each, Akshila Anurangi and friends supported one school and also donated stationery to schoolchildren. 

“Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. Also, water and sanitation are one of Rotary’s key areas of focus. As the Rotaract Club of Colombo West, we partnered ChildFund Sri Lanka to ensure access to safe sanitation and clean water for students to positively impact their health and wellbeing, affording them more focus and time for education. Our contribution towards infrastructure and training will yield long-term change and ensure that generations to come benefit,” noted Rtr. PP. Usama Liyaudeen.

With the success of this project, ChildFund Sri Lanka intends to provide water and sanitation facilities to several schools in the Moneragala district and invites donors to join their intervention of continuing to keep children healthy and safe.

Launched earlier in the year, ‘Sri Lanka Gives Back’ – ChildFund Sri Lanka’s initiative to help the nation during the COVID-19 crisis has been successful through several projects supporting all affected communities. Donors are invited to participate in the 1 to 1 match program – where for every donation received, a similar amount is pledged by ChildFund Sri Lanka.

ChildFund Sri Lanka as a leading international child development organisation working for the past 40 years in the country is committed to, uplifting lives of vulnerable children and their families. ChildFund operates in over 10 districts implementing integrated programs in areas of health, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, education, youth employment and entrepreneurship, disability inclusion and environment disaster risk reduction ensuring that children and youth grow in a healthy, protective and supportive environment, enabling them to reach their full potential.