Where Children Come First
LEADS is a national agency established in 1978 and an approved charity.
Our work is integrated in recognising the child as part of a family, a community and the nation, whether it be in our work with survivors of abuse, vulnerable communities at risk and support in times of natural and manmade disasters or at national policy level.
Where Children Come First
LEADS is a national agency established in 1978 and an approved charity.
Our work is integrated in recognising the child as part of a family, a community and the nation, whether it be in our work with survivors of abuse, vulnerable communities at risk and support in times of natural and manmade disasters or at national policy level.
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“Everything that is done in the world
is done by hope.”
FUNDRAISERS
Yearning for Paternal Love
Sagarika* belonged to a family of eight that included her parents and five siblings. The three girls including Sagarika spent their days in Child Development Centres and the boys resided with their parents. The two elder sons went to school while the youngest remained at home. Each day dawned with new challenges and Sagarika’s mother …
STATEMENT ON RISE IN CHILD ABUSE
LEADS CONDEMNS RECENT RISE IN INCIDENTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING 19 July, 2021: LEADS expresses its deep concern at the escalating incidents of abhorrent acts of cruelty, abuse, harassment and neglect of children in Sri Lanka. At a time of national crisis when all people of this country should unite as one to curb …
LEADS LAUNCHES A CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD ABUSE
In response to the escalating need for psychosocial care for survivors of child abuse across Sri Lanka, LEADS recently launched its Child Sponsorship programme through which its patrons and well-wishers can now sponsor holistic therapeutic care for young survivors of child abuse receiving support through LEADS’ centres in the Northern, Western and Uva Provinces of …
LEADS LAUNCHES A CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD ABUSE Read More »
LEADS DONATES EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO SUPPORT SRI LANKA’S COVID-19 RESPONSE IN RATNAPURA
On 19 June, LEADS handed over emergency medical supplies valued at over 2 million through its regional office in Ratnapura at the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council premises as part of LEADS’ ongoing response to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Hon. Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi – Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, …
DR. CHINTHA DISSANAYAKE CHAMPIONS LEADS’ CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME
LEADS’ joined hands with Dr. Chintha Dissanayake in November 2020 when Dr. Dissanayake came on board as LEADS’ new Goodwill Ambassador. She was an integral part of raising support for the ‘Be the Gift’ Christmas campaign that proved to be a blessing to 386 of children from rural schools as well as survivors of child …
DR. CHINTHA DISSANAYAKE CHAMPIONS LEADS’ CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME Read More »
LEADS CONTINUES TO SUPPORT MOH IN ONGOING BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19
On 11 June 2021, LEADS handed over 8,000 FFP3 masks for the use of medical personnel to Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake – the Director of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. The donation was handed over by LEADS’ Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Monroe Jayasuriya and Manager of Resource Mobilisation – Mrs. Diordre Moraes, and was accepted by Dr. Wickramanayake and other ministry officials.
FINDING SOLACE
Nayana* and her family had their fair share of troubles. Nayana’s elder sister lived with a disability and the family could not afford a home of their own due to their financial difficulties. As a result, Nayana’s family moved in with her uncle and aunt. Trouble seemed to follow them there too as Nayana’s aunt moved out soon after this shift. This however did not trouble Nayana as she loved the company of her three cousins. Her uncle too was very caring – he worked in a city far away from home and would come home only once a month.
PRESS RELEASE: LEADS RESPONDS TO EMERGENCY NEEDS ARISING IN THE FACE OF THIRD WAVE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC
PRESS RELEASE 25 May, 2021: According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, Sri Lanka reported its highest cases of persons infected with the COVID-19 virus on 19 May with 3,623 patients identified within the day. A total of 1,243 deaths have been reported as at 11 p.m. on 24 May, amidst concerns raised …
BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES – ONE BRICK AT A TIME
Sellam Sivanathan hails from Kumarasamipuram and is the father of four young children. His village is in rural Mullaitivu which was among the areas worst affected by the 30-year armed conflict. This war robbed lives, homes, livelihoods and the dignity of thousands of families hailing from all parts of the country. For years, Sellam faced …
EMPOWERING YOUTH TO CHAMPION WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Sureniya, Sathyabaama and Dilani are three friends following a course in nursing at St. Anne’s Nurse Training Academy in Kotagala. On 27 August 2019, they joined with their classmates to take part in an art competition on barriers to women’s economic empowerment which was held at the District Secretariat in Nuwara Eliya. Divided into teams, …
PROMOTING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG RURAL COMMUNITIES
Shanthi and several other females in her community in Kahahengama, Kuruwita gather once a week under the shade of trees in a neighbour’s garden. Unlike any other neighbourhood gathering, the ladies of this community attend this weekly meeting to discuss their business enterprises and how they can further develop these ventures. Even though most of …
PROMOTING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG RURAL COMMUNITIES Read More »
THILINA’S STORY: RESPONDING TO THE EASTER SUNDAY CRISIS
Thilina is a 35-year-old single mother of two young children. The tragic bomb explosion at St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya on Easter Sunday in 2019 has left Thilina paralysed with a spinal cord injury and has also robbed her of sight in her left eye. Her beautiful smile and pleasant demeanour do not betray the untold …
THILINA’S STORY: RESPONDING TO THE EASTER SUNDAY CRISIS Read More »
STRENGTH TO BUILD ANEW
The untimely demise of Shirani’s husband weighed heavily upon her but she did not have time to grieve her loss as the burden of her family’s well-being was now her lot. For 7 long years, Shirani has borne the weight as her family’s breadwinner, providing for the needs of her two children, her elderly parents …
LEADS: A FRIEND IN NEED
Rizna* was the youngest in her family and was cared for by an aging grandmother since her father abandoned her family and her mother was employed overseas. Embittered by her circumstances, Rizna grew up to be a stubborn teenager who would leave the house whenever a dispute would arise. In fact, it was unusual for …
TURNING LIVES AROUND
Gihan* was born into a privileged family in Colombo that owned a thriving business in selling fish and dried fish. Gihan was only 19 years old when he first experimented with drugs. As the years progressed, Gihan’s addiction worsened and his relationship with his family deteriorated. As a result of the numerous arguments he had …
ASSISTANCE FOR THE FLOOD AFFECTED
Vinodh hails from a little village in Kilinochchi. The rains first started when he was on his school term-end vacation. The rain brings so many possibilities for little boys like Vinodh. But, in a corner of their little minds, there is always a fear of the disasters that the rain could cause. One gloomy day, …
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR TODDLERS
Preschool is often full of fun and enjoyable activities. The little children find themselves learning important life skills and improving cognitive abilities in a fun environment that is conducive to learning. Studies show that these formative years of a child are vital to their physical, intellectual and psychosocial development. Among the popular tools used at …
STRONG WOMEN TO THE FORE
It is not uncommon for a Sri Lankan mother, sister, daughter or wife to undergo harassment in public spaces and live through domestic abuse in silence. Surveys show that only 4% of women in Sri Lanka come forward to report such incidents of harassment due to the societal taboo against this issue. With the aim …
ENDING THE CIRCLE OF SHAME
Saranya* was 16 years and pregnant when she was referred to LEADS. Her father had tears in his eyes when he explained the plight of his daughter to LEADS. Saranya’s family blamed their daughter for the shame she had inflicted upon her family. Saranya was in a state of helplessness. Her head hung low in …
HARVESTING HAPPINESS
Nadeeka is an enterprising young mother of two who lives in rural Mausirigama in Hambantota. In order to provide for her household needs as well as put food on the table, Nadeeka toils at her vegetable cultivation all day long. She grows ground nuts, eggplants, tomatoes and chillies in an acre of land, while her …