Katharsinnakulam is a village situated approximately 8km from the town of Vavuniya. Most of the people there have been displaced from surrounding villages because of the war.  Almost everyone lives under extreme poverty.

A children’s club was opened there on 06 May 2007 upon the request of the Grama Sevaka (Government Official) of that area.  The club has a daily attendance of 60-70 children. At a recent meeting, 123 children attended. Tuition classes have been made available from 03 June 2007 to students from Years 1 to 11. Tamil, Mathematics and Science are taught to 31 children from Years 1 to 5, whereas 30 children from Years 6 to 11 attend English classes. Each child contributes to the teachers’ salaries by giving Rs. 25 ($0.22) monthly. The teachers get as little as Rs 1,000 ($8.92) per month, sometimes not even that. Nonetheless, the tuition classes are proceeding successfully and benefitting many children.

07 July 2007 – Alliance Development Trust opened another Change Makers Club in Borupana, Ratmalana. 80 children and 40 parents participated in this event.The Club is for the less fortunate children living in the area of Apple Waththa.

Around 168 families reside in Apple Waththa in small, dingy shacks constructed with dry coconut branches, wood and aluminium sheets. As there are no lavatories human waste is dumped into the adjoining lake and onto its bank. These shacks are built on marsh land which was once part of the lake. During the rainy season, houses get flooded causing water borne diseases to spread. The children from Apple Waththa are underprivileged and do not have the opportunity or the facilities to play and enjoy their childhood; some do not even go to school. Due to poverty, some children are forced to work in order to maintain their families.   

ADT’s focus is to give these children a basic education and an opportunity to develop their hidden skills.  In addition, ADT plans to give the children and their families a basic education on hygiene, HIV/AIDS, and water and sanitation. We believe the knowledge they acquire will empower them to improve their living conditions.