Volunteerism beyond borders

My blogs are usually about links between the UK and Sri Lanka.  Today it’s the turn of some of the less sung heroes, those who work or volunteer in Sri Lanka’s charitable sector.  I’m focusing on two long-standing partners of the High Commission, CAL and MENCAFEP, who just two of the many good people are out there doing good work.

28 years ago, Ranji and Chris Stubbs were helping unemployed young women in Nuwara Eliya find work – very difficult in a depressed economy. Then they discovered that many disabled children, particularly mentally disabled children, were being left out to die because their parents were unable to care for them.  Ranji and Chris started a day-care school to both look after these children and employ local women.  In the 28 years since, MENCAFEP has expanded from nurturing six children and their families to supporting over 2,500 children and families. 

Chris was awarded an MBE in 2009 for his work with children in Sri Lanka.  The medal was actually pinned onto him by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, and this has developed into an enduring relationship, as the Prince visited MENCAFEP in November 2013, and his British Asian Trust will now be supporting the organisation from August 2016 onwards.

Debbie and Dilshan Edirisinghe founded Child Action Lanka (CAL) in September 2006. They took on a very small day care centre outside Kandy, moved it into the centre of the city and had 70 children turn up on their first day. Today, CAL runs 14 educational and day-care centres for children around Sri Lanka, providing direct assistance to around 1,150 children from new born to 18.

This kind of work can be transformative for both the families and the volunteers.  This is the third year that Tonbridge School in the UK has sent a team of students and teachers out to support CAL.  Working alongside CAL staff in local schools in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa and Kilinochi, the boys are teaching English, coaching touch rugby and cricket, working on some manual building projects, and running workshops in art and drama.  In Kandy the team have also been working with some of the street parents, who have enjoyed escaping from their usual daily routines to learn art and craft techniques. The project culminated in regional sports tournaments.  The Kandy team have been screen printing t-shirts and making masks and puppets, and their tournament closed with a procession through Kandy with the CAL children showcasing their work.  

The trip was again a huge success, with strong friendships being formed between the children and the Tonbridge boys.  As one boy said:“This two weeks in Sri Lanka has fundamentally changed my perspective on life, has made me realise how fortunate we are, but also how much we have to offer to others.  I will leave with so many memories of the children here.  It’s something to look back on and think ‘WOW, I did that'”.

Here’s a bit more information about both organisations:

MENCAFEP operates in Nuwara Eliya and Batticaloa districts: the only facility for disabled children and their families in Nuwara Eliya, and the only organisation in Batticaloa to work with severe mental disability.  It provides a home for the abandoned, respite care for the most at-risk families and training and support to other groups involved in community-based rehabilitation of disabled children.

CAL cares for, educates, and provides life opportunities to children who have suffered neglect, abuse, and lack of access to adequate education. Many of the children live and work on the streets as beggars, often socially excluded and deprived of opportunities and respect.  CAL also supports the parents, especially the mothers, through vocational training and work opportunities so that they can become economically self-sufficient.

The British High Commission organised a fund-raising football tournament with our partners TAFA.  All proceeds were equally distributed between the two charities.