Q: As ChildFund celebrates its 40th anniversary in Sri Lanka, what would you say has been the most significant achievement or milestone in these four decades?

A: ChildFund’s 40 year journey in Sri Lanka reflects our deep commitment to empowering communities and fostering resilience. A significant milestone has been the ability to build local capabilities by partnering with communities, governments and local organisations to ensure sustainable development.

Notably, we supported communities during and after the tsunami, helping rebuild lives and livelihoods while protecting children from physical, social and emotional challenges.

Our collaboration with government agencies has enhanced healthcare, education and capacity building, creating long-term impacts. For instance, co-creating models to integrate environmental resilience and socio-emotional learning into school curricula exemplifies our dedication to holistic education.

Additionally, ChildFund helped establish a microfinance institution that became an independent locally governed entity, showcasing sustainable development.

As ChildFund Sri Lanka transitions to a locally governed entity – Wide Lanka – we aim to strengthen our impact in Sri Lanka and contribute regionally, leveraging the country’s abundant talent and resources for continued success.

Q: With the establishment of Wide Lanka to promote local leadership, how does ChildFund envision supporting locally led social change?

A: Supporting locally led social change has always been integral to our mission. Wide Lanka’s establishment is a natural progression of ChildFund’s 40 years in Sri Lanka, empowering local organisations with skills, infrastructure and resources.

Wide Lanka will uphold the focus on children’s wellbeing and rights – regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion – while prioritising the most vulnerable including children and youth with disabilities.

By fostering ambition and providing guidance, Wide Lanka aims to enable communities to thrive and continue transforming lives through local leadership and collaboration.

Q: ChildFund is now focusing on empowering women alongside children. How do you see this shift impacting families and communities in the long-term?

A: Empowering women alongside children is a natural extension of our strategy as research shows a strong correlation between women’s empowerment and children’s wellbeing. Women – whether mothers, sisters or community members – play a critical role in creating a supportive ecosystem for children to grow up healthy, educated and safe. For instance, a mother’s insistence on her daughter’s participation in a programme at our vocational training centre despite stiff family resistance has transformed the girl’s future and given her financial stability. Empowered women make pivotal decisions that directly impact children’s lives.

Economic independence also strengthens this link – financially empowered women prioritise their children’s education, nutrition and overall welfare. Recognising this, Wide Lanka will focus on practical initiatives to engage and develop women, ensuring their vital role in nurturing future generations.

Q: With an ambitious global goal of reaching 100 million in Sri Lanka and bringing a million smiles by 2030, how does ChildFund plan to balance expansion with maintaining the quality and inclusivity of its programmes?

A: Our goal of reaching 100 million children and families by 2030 focuses on achieving meaningful outcomes – ensuring children grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe. This balance of scale and quality includes youth empowerment, education and child protection.

A key priority is safeguarding children both online and offline, addressing risks such as exploitation and abuse in the digital age. ChildFund actively advocates for stronger legislation, partners with survivors, and works to equip parents and children with the tools to navigate technology safely – ensuring inclusive, impactful programmes that adapt to evolving challenges.

– Compiled by Indrajit Lankeshwara
COMPANY DETAILS

Telephone: 112501238 | Email: rkatugaha@childfund.org | Website: www.childfundsrilanka.org