Adopt a Village in Action: Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, Adopt a Village strengthens communities in crisis in the Eastern and Western areas of the country. These regions were hit hardest by the 2004 tsunami—40 schools were destroyed completely. They have also struggled for decades through a violent civil conflict between the Tamil and Sinhalese people.

Our education initiatives build schools in communities affected by war and the tsunami. In Sri Lanka, schoolbuiding is a form of peacebuilding, empowering people with the skills they need to create peace in their communities. Clean water and sanitation projects as well as healthcare initiatives reduce the prevalence of poverty-related illness, the rates of which increased significantly post-tsunami.

A unique cooperative micro-credit program for women makes up the majority of our Alternative Income programming. Women get job training and small loans so they can start their own small businesses and earn money to support their children.