Support for disabled children in Nuwara Elya

Number of beneficiaries : 220 disabled children and young people, 100 young mothers, 2 educational centres and 4 primary schools

Project duration : 2024/2027 – 4 years

Place : Nuwara Eliya and Batticaloa neighbourhoods

Project financed under a framework agreement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Local partner

MENCAFEP was founded in 1988 to support children with disabilities and their families in Sri Lanka. Victims of cultural beliefs related to disability, children with disabilities are very vulnerable to abandonment and the stigma they have to face. Thanks to the educational and therapeutic care of these children as well as the awareness of families and the population, MENCAFEP helps them to restore their place in society. The association has two special education and therapeutic centres in Sri Lanka as well as several units in less accessible areas.

Context

Although Sri Lanka is a signatory to the 2007 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the latter remain stigmatized and discriminated against. Due to strong superstitions, disability is seen as a punishment or a harbinger of bad luck. Children with disabilities have a lower level of education due to various obstacles present (teacher skills, infrastructure, accessibility, etc.). Currently, MENCAFEP runs 2 inclusive education centres in Nuwara Elyia and Batticaloa districts.

The mission

This project aims to promote inclusive and quality education to bring children and young people with disabilities out of isolation.

Activities

  • Improve the education services of MENCAFEP centres for children and young people with disabilities (transport, rehabilitation, training and income-generating activity for young people).
  • Equip 4 primary schools with equipment and toilets adapted for people with disabilities.
  • Provide support and technical accompaniment to the educational staff of 4 primary schools and centres about inclusion (creation of integrated classes).
  • Mobilize the community to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities, gender equality and protection against gender-based violence.

Beneficiaries

220 disabled children and young people, 100 young women at risk and mothers of disabled children, 2 MENCAFEP educational centres and 4 primary schools