A Family Finds Disability Support in Gampola, Sri Lanka

By Shae Davidson

Chithra (pictured here) and her 9-year-old son Sandaru live in Gampola in central Sri Lanka. Her husband works as a day laborer, but finds it challenging to maintain a steady income. Sandaru has Down syndrome, and his parents’ difficulties accessing healthcare, therapy, and an adequate diet meant that he was underweight and struggled to develop.

Chithra and her husband reached out to Child Action Lanka as they looked for support. The agency’s Gampola Special Needs Centre welcomed Sandaru. Funding from BGR helps the program provide nutritious meals to clients as they receive speech and occupational therapy and work with staff members to grow in independence.

Supporting students with developmental differences is only one part of Child Action Lanka’s compassionate action to help children and families. The group advocates for the needs of unhoused children, supports community and household gardens, donates school uniforms and bags to families to help ease financial burdens that can lead to promising students dropping out of school, and provides a range of other services crafted to give families agency and resiliency.

The World Health Organization estimates that roughly 18.3 percent of children under 10 have a developmental disability, and that they are more likely to suffer due to poverty, marginalization, and lack of access to educational opportunities and medical services. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic undermined supports for children with disabilities; Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis has strained families like Sandaru’s even further.

Since he began taking classes at the center, Sandaru’s social skills have grown, and therapists have helped him develop his fine motor skills. Additionally, Chithra’s abilities as a caregiver and knowledge of disability issues drew the attention of staff members, who hired her to work as a caterer and kitchen assistant; now other students also benefit from the same care and support she gives to her son.

BGR Board member Shae Davidson completed a Ph.D. in U.S. History at Ohio University, with research exploring the importance of inclusive community partnerships in building food systems. His past experience includes serving as a museum director, a humanities instructor, and a researcher. Shae currently works at a nonprofit that supports survivors of gender-based violence.