ECSAT Projects
Community Development of Salzburg Village (funded by WINGS Austria).
The final year of this programme will focus on building capacity of local teachers to teach in a creative and child-centred way. The Kids Club will be the main focus of the work and will serve as an example of child centred learning to trainees. The Parents Committee and local staff will also be further strengthened to finally take over in December 2009.
Building Inclusive Communities (funded by Deafchild Worldwide)
This two year programme aims to ensure inclusion of deaf children in community and family life through better communications and advocacy. In too many families, deaf children are unable to communicate with parents who have limited or no knowledge of sign language. In addition to parents, sign language will also be promoted among non-deaf children and social service officers so that community inclusion and access to services is improved.
Outreach Project (funded by Kiwanis Colombo City Chapter).
Supporting children with disabilities who are confined to their homes by parents who are afraid, embarrassed or simply do not see the value of letting them into the community. This project is being developed by one community worker who is skilled in providing support and developing effective referral systems. Kiwanis Colombo have kindly agreed to work with ECSAT to develop this type of outreach work in Galle for the forseeable future.
ECSART Handicrafts Programme (funded by Friends of ECSAT UK)
This is the final stage of a three year programme, where small inputs are being given to support the handicraft producing women in Galle to be able to produce for large Christmas orders. One staff member works with them part time on logistics and quality control, and we are working to link them with others who can give them orders throughout the year. Friends of ECSAT UK are funding the final stage of this project, and all funding will cease as of the end of December 2009.
Bona Vista Womens Development Project (funded by Mr & Mrs Wren)
Home for women with intellectual impairments. It aims to bring them life skills and handicraft skills training every week and to build their contacts with the community outside their institution. Mr and Mrs Wren have kindly funded this for 6 months from the proceeds of their wedding anniversary celebrations in the UK.
National Volunteering Programme (in partnership with VSO)
In 2008 ECSAT attended training organised by VSO in Bangalore, India on how to develop a volunteer policy and effective programme. In 2009, ECSAT is focusing on developing a local volunteer network in Galle that can contribute to our work and goals. This will likely involve training and development of local volunteers over the year in line with our new volunteer policy. To date we have had new volunteers join us from all levels including doctors and therapists, and will be running large scale trainings in the coming months.