In 1980, MVP established Dikkelle Children’s Centre in Gonawila, a remote area of Sri Lanka’s North Western Province. ‘Dikkelle’ offers an opportunity for children who have been displaced by war, natural disaster and family breakdown to reclaim their childhood, rebuild their self-esteem, and recover from trauma and abuse.
Following referrals from social services, the courts, refugee camps and other government institutions, children are offered secure shelter and basic care and support. Dikkelle is a transitional centre that traces children’s families and works with the community to reintegrate them as soon as possible. Children will usually stay at the centre for up to a year, by which time Dikkelle has helped reintegrate them into school and either placed them with families or referred them to trusted and well-vetted long-term residential care. In 2007, with support from International Childcare Trust, Dikkelle opened up a new building to provide shelter for girls, as well as boys, making it unique in Sri Lanka by enabling displaced boys and girls to grow up side-by-side.
“I attend school every day. I go there in the centre’s school bus. After school we play volley ball, after dinner we do our homework.” Bandula, aged 14
Dikkelle also runs a number of vocational training courses offered to older children living at the centre and also unskilled youths living in refugee camps and within the local community. The courses, which include engineering, tailoring, farming and carpentry, provide marketable skills linked to viable local income generating opportunities. Trainees also have the opportunity to gain practical experience by carrying out supervised work for MVP e.g. repairing buildings and vehicles, making furniture, and repairing school uniforms and clothes for children at the centre. All trainees are subsequently given help in finding full-time employment.
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