Matara Sponsor Child program MSP 1-3

Project manager:
Christina Riddebäck, Christina@riddeback.se

In Matara, at the southern tip of Sri Lanka, SFCSL runs a highly appreciated sponsor child program. 65 children are assigned to this program.

The sponsor children are selected by INDECOS. All these children need financial support. The program´s objective is to give the children the possibility to study, thereby helping them to improve their own life situation.

They study topics like English, math and IT. One practice is to let the older children coach and help the young ones.

The studies are held close to Matara Children´s Center (another program), so the sponsor children have access to the activities also at MCC.

Some of the activities are financed by the parents of the sponsor children such as health care, school uniforms, school stationary, bus tickets and a yearly excursion.

Articles/Reports
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Child sponsorship program in Matara 10 years:
Several of the young people are studying at university!

The first child sponsorship group in 2002 was named MSP 1 and consisted of 15 poor and marginalized children. Later the group grew to 65 children. Today there are many success stories.

These children are among the poorest of the poor. Their parents did not have any means to pay for the extra tuition needed in Sri Lanka to pursue higher studies. Thanks to the aid association Swedish Friend of Children in Sri Lanka and their fantastic sponsor parents a number of sponsored children are studying at universities. The parents and the children could not a decade ago when the sponsor program in Matara started, dream of that the children should be entering a university.

The children's academic performance is very gratifying for themselves and their families. Their education also benefits the whole society. A developing country like Sri Lanka will need all the competence the country can get.
Well-educated parents tend to ensure that also their children will be educated, which will create followers in the next generation and the next .....

A dream has come true for the board of Swedish Friend of Children in Sri Lanka!

Here you will meet eight of these young people:

Deepal Dananjaya MSP 12 Faculty of Medicine (från Star for Life skolan)		SP 20 Nuwan  Priyadarshana Faculty of Engineering Nuwan failed his A-level exam and could not start on the engineering education he wished. He now has over a year been studying at the newly established "Nationals Youth Corps" and out of the 1,000 students that fulfilled the course he was ranked as number one. He now has access to the engineering education he so ardently desire. Look at the fine statuette given to him.
MSP 23 Thishara Madusani Faculty of Management		MSP 26 Sara Udani Faculty of Medicine		MSP 38 Ganga Sandaruwani Faculty of Law
MSP nr 13 Nalin Gunawardhana Faculty of Geomantic		Deepal Dananjaya MSP 12 Faculty of Medicine (från Star for Life skolan) Lasanta Prabuddha  MSP 34 Faculty of Engineering Krishan Sandaruwa MSP 15 Acountants & Leadership  CIMA.

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To meet Charita was like meeting my sister

Author: Sabina Johansson, Örebro

For many years, I had seen pictures of Charita. (to the left) I had read all the letters and the poems that she had written. Of course, I have wondered about her life, interests etc. For it could have been me in her clothes as a sponsor child in Matara.

When our car stopped outside the MCC building, I was a little nervous. Many people had gathered and it felt like a very special day. Upon arrival, we received flowers as gift and were seated next to a stage. All sponsor children sat behind us, and behind them were their mothers and relatives. The children giggled and smiled when I looked around, searching for Charita. Then she appeared on the stage and welcomed all of us. After that followed photographing, and I and my parents met all the children.

Most of them were a little shy but all wanted to send their regards to Sweden and to their sponsor parents.

During my stay at Matara, I visited Charita´s home and the home of the sponsor child of my aunt. We met also their relatives. The homes were simple, but they were proud to show their rooms and their school books.

Both of them liked to go to school and they had great dreams of their futures. Both spoke English well and they bombarded me with questions about Sweden. They were like young people in Sweden, interested in music and fashion and other things that we like.

Despite the fact that they live a simple life without many things that we feel are necessary to have, they seemed to live a relatively good life in Sri Lanka. They seemed to be harmonious and they were optimistic about the future.

I am proud of having Charita as my sponsor child, and I hope that you all sponsor parents feel the same.

Sabina Johansson
Örebro