This is a new venture and being introduced as a pilot scheme in Mannar and Cheddikulam. If this scheme is proved successful, extension to other areas will be considered.

During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, our Chairman identified another need in our homeland. There are nearly 73,000 children, not attending school regularly in the North and East of Sri Lanka. These children are often living with grandparents or other relatives. These people often have so many problems of their own and needs of the child is neglected.

ACF-UK has introduced a Foster Care scheme for such children. Under this scheme, children will receive financial assistance but mainly material assistance while they also enjoy home environment and care.

This scheme also helps to overcome the problem of children leaving the “Children homes” to live with their relatives. This has caused an administrative nightmare for us and left some sponsors unhappy. With our Foster Care scheme we are able to solve some of these problems too.

We are teaming up with an organisation called “ Destitute Welfare Fund” in Mannar to implement the Foster Care scheme. To make sure the funds are utilised properly, the organisation will employ a progress-monitoring officer to monitor 25 children and families and furnish written reports for us. We will then make these available to our sponsors. In some cases we anticipate providing hostel facilities. This is due to the fact that some children live in areas, where there are no schools near by. These children will return home during holidays and weekends. We have chosen 38 children to receive help under this scheme from Mannar and Cheddikulam districts.

To Sponsor a Child

Please click here to download the standing order form

The completed form to be forwarded to:

Mr V Ramakrishnan
Chairman
Arobanam Children Fund
29 Helmsdale Road
London
SW16 5UT
UK

Those who live outside UK can send annual sponsorship cost equivalent to £144/year/child to the above address.

Now that you have decided to sponsor a child, the procedure is very similar to Sponsorship scheme. Most obvious difference is that the child lives with the family and not in a Children Home. Often this is in very remote areas and communication can be quite unreliable. For this reason, ACF-UK will provide you with a regular report about the progress of your child. This will be prepared by the monitoring officer whose responsibility is to ensure that your hard earned money is utilised properly.

The great Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral wrote these words. Many things we need can wait The child cannot. Now is the time His bones are being formed. His blood is being made. His mind is being developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow. His name is today.