In southern Sri Lanka, two facilities welcome vulnerable children, offering them protection, education, and the hope of a better future.
The Girls’ Village in Ibbawale, built by the Specchio dei tempi Foundation after the 2004 tsunami, was originally a medical center for the treatment of the injured and traumatized. Since 2011, it has been converted into a shelter for girls who are victims of abuse, violence, or abandonment. Today, the Village is managed by MedAcross, in partnership with the Buddhist monks of the Southern Province, and serves as a safe haven for 20 girls. Here, they receive protection, psychological and educational support, attend public schools, and take English courses to improve their future job opportunities, especially in the tourism sector.
For girls leaving the Village, a transition program is available with protected housing in Matara, where they can continue vocational training and avoid early marriage and pregnancy.
A few kilometers away, in Kekanadura, is the Oba Mama Orphanage, a boys’ orphanage founded in 1990 by a Japanese foundation, which supported it until 2018 before suddenly withdrawing its funding. The facility houses up to 25 boys, placed there by the Matara Court until they turn 18. The children are cared for by four rotating assistants and attend the local school until the age of 15, after which they begin two years of vocational training in Matara, preparing them for an independent life.
These projects represent a beacon of hope for the children of Sri Lanka, offering them opportunities to grow in a safe and nurturing environment.
