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Key Achievements

 
2021
  • Programme Director received the award for 'The Best Skill Development Centre for Children with Disabilities in Sri Lanka' from the State Minister of Primary Health Care Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle.

  • Shared Care project sponsored by Direct Aid Programme enabled 11 mothers to start their own business and over 30 children with severe disabilities to receive sensory therapeutic support.

2020
  • October; Sponsor donated electric mobility scooter for member of staff who is a wheelchair user.

  • September; ECSAT supplied study packs to beneficiaries for home schooling.

  • July; Shared Care project funded by Australian Direct Aid Programme.

  • July; Back to Business project funded by Australian Volunteer Impact Grant.

  • May; Programme Director returned to Sri Lanka from Australia due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

  • January; Visit by Lemonaid & ChariTea, sponsors of the vocational project. 

 
2019
  • ‘Teach Me’ project at Matara funded by Souter Charitable Trust.

  • October; Two staff members attended Bangkok.

  • October; Programme Director awarded MA scholarship in the field of Disability Studies at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. Lakshika De Silva promoted to Operations Officer.

 
2018

2017
  • LemonAid and ChariTea funded project to transform livelihoods and lives through income generation, training and support - for families affected by disability.

  • A new Speech and Language therapist joined the ECSAT team.

  • Hilden Trust funded project to de-institutionalise women and girls with disabilities.

  • ECSAT celebrated its 12th birthday by holding a Medical Camp to promote the health of parents and children.

  • Arts & Crafts Exhibition, February 28th, at Galle International Cricket Pavilion visited by over 1,000 people.

2016
  • Programme Director awarded four month Fellowship in US with the World Institute on Disability.

  • Matara Centre opened on July 28th, thanks to funding by Australia High Commission.

  • Tuk tuk called Frieda was purchased - funded by a legacy from the mother of a trustee and donation from Friends of Ecsat.

  • Disabled Women Unlocking Doors startd in March 2016 with thanks for funding from Feminist Review Trust

  • Fashion Show and launch of web shop Ecsat Craft at Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel, Galle.  With many thanks to the Managing Director of Jetwing and the General Manager of Lighthouse Hotel and the proprietor of Sinali Salon, Magalle.

  • New pre-school opened at Galle Community Centre.
     

2015
  • Employing Eshani, a role model transfer from beneficiary to part-time employment.

  • ECSAT 10th anniversary year celebrated in Colombo with a Dance and Drama Event which raised 1 million rupees Thanks to Colombo Rotary Club.

  • Physiotherapy Unit opening, 42 beneficiaries, with money raised at below event.

     

2014
  • First big fundraising event in Galle raised 1,000,000 LKR. Thanks to Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel.

     

2013
  • New satellite centre opened at Hikkaduwa. Thanks to the government and REACH.

  • Visit from Delegates of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM.

  • Australian High Commissioner- Robyn Mudie and Foreign Minister- Mr. Bob Car visited Galle Centre and decided to continue funding support for Educational Project.

  • ECSAT was registered with the National Council for Persons with Disabilites. Registration No. MSS/NSPD/R/178.

     

2012
  • Start Speech and Language therapy for 12 beneficiaries.

  • Moved to new premises at 288/4 Singhepura, Wackwella Road, Galle.

  • Handicraft bazaar in the Law Court Square as part of the Fringe Programme for the Galle Literary Festival.  ECSAT ran workshops and had a dancing show as part of the sister programme for the Children’s Festival.

     

2011
  • Launched Ebay Handicraft on – line shopping.

  • Running of Katupolwatta Kids Club at Saltzburg village handed over to local community members after training and working daily with the community since 2005 in this tsunami resettled community and their non-affected neighbours.

  • Catherine Liyanage- ECSAT founder awarded MBE.

     

2010
  • British High Commissioner- Dr. Peter Hayers visited ECSAT Galle Community Centre, supported Wheels of Fortune event in Colombo, raised 1 million LKR.

  • Completion of two year project sponsored by Deaf Child WorldWide to Build Inclusive Communities through Communication and Advocacy.  Staff had a 12 week training programme in Sinhala sign language and the project coordinator went on to complete a Diploma in Sign Language.

  • The women at BonaVista made serviettes featuring the Swiss flag by special request for the Swiss ambassador.

     

2009
  • Organised a Shramadanna Campaign for World Environment Day which brought together all members of the local community for a litter clean-up and tree planting at Rumasalla.

     

2008
  • Launched its Outreach Programme for staff to visit housebound children in their own homes.

  • Staff began working with women at a local home called BonaVista and teaching them handicraft skills.

     

2007
  • Completion of Mother and Child UNICEF Support Project having supported 65 mothers to better deal with issues such as domestic violence as a group, and 127 children to be more creative and make lasting friendships.

     

2006
  • ECSAT Centre made accessible to people with physical disabilities, supported by USAID and Motivation and opened by the Mayor of Galle.
     

2005
  • First Kids Day performance took place for children to develop and showcase their talents.

  • Started training women to make handicrafts.

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