The Challenges Of Growing Up In Sri Lanka

Living in Rural Communities

Challenge: Though only 7 percent of Sri Lankans live below the poverty line, remote rural areas often face many more challenges than urban communities. These areas often lack access to good nutrition and improved water and sanitation.

Compassion’s Response: Our centers are located in communities with the greatest need — even those in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Where basic services are lacking, we intervene with educational opportunities, nutritional support, and lessons about good hygiene and sanitation practices.

Lack of Nutritional Support

Challenge: About 20 percent of children under age 5 in Sri Lanka are underweight. Though the country has no significant food shortage and offers free child health care, many children are at risk of disease and many families lack knowledge about good nutrition.

Compassion’s Response: At the Compassion center, no one worries about being hungry. Children receive lunch at the center, which typically includes rice, meat or fish, vegetables and fruit. They also get snacks of biscuits, milk and sometimes fresh juice.