The Centres established in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar are similar to day-care centres but are administered on a voluntary basis by women from within the community in the area.

NCPA Chairperson, Anoma Dissanayke said awareness programmes were being conducted in the area with regard to protecting children. “We decided to start these awareness campaigns in the Northern Province as we have not been able to conduct any social welfare programmes before due to the war and because this is a very vulnerable area in the country,” she said.

“The Centres will be open from 2pm to 6pm, when children return home after school,” Dissanayake said. She explained that children will be able to do their studies and also explore their creativity through various activities.

The Centres are established for the protection of the children of single working mothers. “These mothers have nowhere to keep their kids while they are at work and there are many dangers in keeping children with unknown people here,” Dissanayake said.

She added that many parents and children had been tricked by people who had promised them work in Colombo and then left them at establishments for a meagre salary or none at all.

She stated that with the Centres being run voluntarily by women in the area there was no need for worry. “The programme is mainly for widowed mothers but any child is welcome here,” Dissanayake said.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka