ECSAT Projects
Livelihoods Development in 39 tsunami-affected communities (funded
by UWI).
This project aims to develop income generation activities at a community level through establishing Community Lvelihood Committees, supporting them to write business plans and then approving and funding the best of those businesses. There is a focus on ensuring that disabled members of the community can also access these business opportunities. Currently we have released funds to 17 communities and continue to identify new communities to take part in this project.
Outreach Project (funded by Kiwanis Colombo City Club and Friends of ECSAT UK).
The project is now working with 93 children and young people with disabilities by carrying out educational, sensory and life skills activities with them in their homes. As the children improve, we prepare their parents for inclusion at the Centre Kids Club where they can mix with their peers and develop further. Increasing demand for these services means that we are currently looking to expand this programme.
Community Accessibility Project (funded by the Australian High Commission Direct Action Programme)
This project aims to bring children and young people wth disabilities into the community by improving access of three kinds - physical, social and vocational. Physical access will be achieved by building ramps and providing aids and appliances to those in need. Social access will be developed by holding community meetings on a regular basis with the particpation of disabled people and their families. Finally, vocational access will be provided by training in the most requested skills of handicrafts and gardening.
Bona Vista Womens Development Project (funded by Friends of ECSAT UK)
Now the ladies are selling their handicraft products like rugs serviettes to the people who visit the Bonavista home. They are spending that money to buy new material for the products and they go to shops to buy the material with the coordinator of the project. This is new experience to women, because previously they did not have permission to go out and visit other places. Their worlds are opening to new possibilities.
Preschool Teacher Training Programme (in partnership with the Swiss Ladies Charity Group)
This project began in 2010 and involves training of preschool teachers to run inclusive, child-centred activities. With the support of long term volunteer Gina Graham we have developed an effective syllabus based on the last two years of working with local community children. We have trained 34 teachers through the informal education unit in Galle, and a further 60 teachers through the National Youth Council.
National Volunteering Programme (in partnership with VSO & CHA)
In 2008 ECSAT attended training organised by VSO in Bangalore, India on how to develop a volunteer policy and effective programme. In 2009, ECSAT focused on developing a local volunteer network in Galle that could contribute to our work and goals, as well as other organisations. In line with our new volunteer policy, they receive pre service training and a manual, and have been placed in organisations all over the Galle area.
Centre Kids Club (in partnership with Bryanston School)
In January 2011 ECSAT formally began its Inclusive Kids Club at the ECSAT Community Centre. This club aims to train children with disabilities in educational and social skills so that they can eventually be admitted to school, or if they are too old can begin vocational activities. Now there are more than 30 disabled and non-disabled children attending the club, with an ever increasing demand.