Annual Progress Report

Introducing ther update

Ther report follows a visit to Dilini's family and uses a standard format to ensure that it provides an update on how Dilini and her family are and outlines the work that Plan is doing with them and their whole community.

Strengthening a bond

Dilini's mother Gnanawathie told us that Dilini enjoys collecting stamps, riding a bicycle and collecting stickers, and is now able to help her family with small errands. Perhaps you would like to know more about these activities? Or perhaps about her life in the community? Below are some key facts, but please also write and send greetings to Dilini and her family. Although Dilini is already attending school, she is still not able to write her own letters yet, but we will work with her and her family so they can send you a message.

Dilini's health

Dilini has been healthy over the last year.

Dilini's education

Dilini is still attending the secondary school. She has been promoted to the seventh grade. Her performance at school is average now. This year her favourite lessons have been mathematics, local language and drawing. She still travels by foot and it takes her less than 30 minutes to get there.

Dilini's family situation

There have been no changes to who lives with Dilini.

The family's access to basic services

Dilini's family use a community toilet for their toilet facilities. There is enough water during both rainy and dry seasons. It comes from an open well. The water is safe to drink at all times. The nearest health facility is the hospital which is about forty-five minutes away.

What has been happening in the area where Dilini lives

The projects undertaken to benefit Dilini's community include:

A workshop on gender equality was held for community representatives to increase/improve their awareness and sensitivity to gender issues. Greater equality and decision-making authority for women improves the situation for their children.

Yours and other families received inexpensive "safety lamps" (a small refillable bottle/kerosene with a leak-proof wick and cap) as demonstration on how to reduce the risk of fire and human injury at home (a not uncommon tragedy in wood frame houses with thatch roofs).

A community centre was constructed to serve as venue for community activities such as the preschool or community library, and as a meeting place for the local youth club and other community organisations.

Plan provided mosquito nets to your sponsored family and to others in the area, to decrease the incidence of diseases such as Dengue Fever and Malaria. The objective is to increase the physical wellbeing (health) of children and families.

A local primary school was provided with musical instruments (drums, accordion, harmonica, violin, cymbals, flutes, melodic) and art materials (paints, art paper, ink etc) to improve the quality of teaching, and learning by students. It increases school attendance, and the motivation of students and teachers.

A workshop was held for local community leaders on the need and availability of counselling services. The objective is to increase local knowledge, access and utilisation of such services (from governmental and non-governmental offices/organisations) - to prevent and treat cases of abuse, harassment, domestic violence, adolescent depression and the like.

A local primary school was provided with library books, in accordance with the criteria and recommendations of the Ministry of Education. The objective is to increase the opportunity for students to read and to learn.

A local primary school was provided with educational supplies such as exercise books, pens, pencils, paper, chalk, rulers, school bags, and other miscellaneous items. The objective is to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

A local primary school was provided furniture and equipment, which may have included desks and chairs, a blackboard, a storage cabinet or other apparatus. The donation was based on the needs of the school and the criteria of the Ministry of Education. The objective is to improve the quality of teaching and to increase school enrolment- and learning by students.

The local Children's Club was provided with sports equipment (balls, bats, carom board, darts) and/or musical instruments (drums, violins, hand organs, flutes etc) to motivate and enable related activities. The objective is to provide them with fun/creative opportunities, and to teach them the attitudes and skills of organisation - so that they become productive, participative citizens.

Toilets were installed/constructed at a local school, to improve sanitation around the school (and so reduce disease) and to provide students - especially girls - with the basic conditions necessary for school attendance.

Plan financed an "income generation" project for your sponsored family, to increase their income and capacity to invest in their children's welfare (health, education etc). Depending on their experience and capacity, and on available and promising business opportunities, the project may concern agricultural production (provision of implements such as a chemical sprayer, threshing machine etc), animal husbandry (provision of chickens, goats, bees, cow etc) or the provision of working capital to purchase/resell retail goods (fruit and vegetables, clothing etc.)

We hope you have enjoyed reading this report. We will continue to work with the community to improve the life of Dilini and all the other children in the area, for them to be able to realize their potential.

Through your link with Dilini you share in the work of the whole community. Your contributions help to fund community projects that families are doing with Plan to benefit their children. We thank you for your continued commitment.