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Painting Rainbows
In the aftermath of the tsunami there were many requests regarding the possibility of adopting or assisting orphans.
At the district level Rotary was in contact with the authorities and was aware that this was an extremely sensitive issue and had to be handled with due processes in place.
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) established by an Act of Parliament in 1998, is the sole authority for the protection and rehabilitation of the children of Sri Lanka. The NCPA functions directly under the purview of the President of Sri Lanka.
The main objective of the NCPA is the formulation of national policies on the prevention of child abuse and the protection, care and rehabilitation of those who are victims of such abuse.
The NCPA works in collaboration with the Ministries of Social Welfare, Health, Education, Internal Security, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and the department of Probation and Childcare services.
Colombo Uptown has been in discussions with the NCPA with regard to offering them whatever assistance the NCPA needed for its programmes.
Areas of Assistance:
The NCPA requires assistance in two areas as follows:
| 1. |
Financial Assistance – A figure of Rs 2,500/- has been fixed as the amount required by each child every month. All children must be sponsored for a minimum of three years. |
| 2. |
Establishment of Drop-in Centers – The NCPA with the help of the World Bank set up six drop-in centers prior to the tsunami. Two of these centers in Weligama and Seenigama were totally destroyed.
These centers are manned by qualified personnel of the NCPA and will be the focal
point for the provision of psycho-social rehabilitation using art/music/drama therapy
to address trauma. They also provide the children the opportunity to enhance their
aesthetic skills like music, art and drama. They also offer vocational services training
for children over 15 years in sewing, fabric painting etc. They also serve as the only
source of education for children who do not attend school.
Each D-i-C will cost around Rs 1.5 million per annum inclusive of staff salaries,
Equipment costs, rental etc. |
Colombo Uptown intends to establish at least One D-I-C during the year and provide the
maintenance cost for the first year at least. We also hope to sponsor at least 50 children
for the next three years.
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