My Nonprofit Reviews

As the the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a total disruption of the livelihood activities of many rural and estate communities in Sri Lanka, to rectifying the loss of livelihoods and strengthening the most vulnerable to adjust to the social and economic changes created by the pandemic, India Development and Relief Fund IDRF, has given a great and timely funding support to Sri Lanka Centre for Development Facilitation (SLCDF) for 2022/2023.

SLCDF, collaborated with the Hill Country Forum for Community organizations (HIFCO) to provide assistance to a targeted number of severely affected families in Ten Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions in Kandy District. When selecting priority was given to Women Headed Households with children and differently abled persons and to those from low - income groups. Special attention was paid to those families who lost any family member due to COVID -19, especially in the case of families where they lost the bread winner.

The project provides Micro finance through a Revolving Loan Fund for income generating activities while sustainability is enhanced by capacity development, entrepreneurship development and sustainable agricultural techniques. Over 150 families whose livelihoods were devastated by COVID-19 have been able to restart their livelihood activities through this project and generate an income necessary for the upkeep of their families. Training in Skills development, introducing market strategies, value additions and new farming techniques have also contributed much to the economic upliftment of these once destitute families.

A significant increase in membership of 11 NGOs in Kandy, empowered women to become decision makers taking up leadership roles in their communities facing the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

The project has been implemented even in the midst of many challenges and has been able to bring about remarkable results in the rural village and estate communities.

IDRF has been facilitating projects to assist Sri Lankan poor communities to uplift their lives since 2018. Up to now with funding assistance from the IDRF, more than 750 families have enhanced their livelihoods in Kandy district .

IDRF is very flexible and reliable donor donating grants to needy communities and the guidance of their professionals is helpful for growing organizations.

IDRF has immensely supported in uplifting the lives of over 100 women in marginalized segments the Kandy District in Sri Lanka. This assistance enabled to improve women’s empowerment in three villages by providing capacity building followed by start-up capital for their selected livelihood activities.

Up to now within 18 months 105 families either have established new self-employment ventures or strengthened their existing small ventures. Initially these families who could not have their ends meets have been able to derive an additional monthly income of Rs.4000 – 5000. If not for this increase, they run the risk of any little shock coming their way, such as illness weather or some mishap in their little self-employment venture. Increased income has been mostly directed to investment in children’s education and also helping in a significant reduction in indebtedness.

Women are now taking up decision making roles in leadership positions in their CBOs and NGOs.

More women are now engaged in livelihood activities along with a significant increase of contribution to the family income and a resultant enhanced recognition in the household. They can now take independent decisions in the family affairs too.

IDRF support to Sri Lanka is remarkable in Social Development.