Sarvaam Foundation Canada (SFC) has been reaching “undergarments for girls” project goal successfully more than we expected.
Undergarment Project for School Girls
SFC volunteers are very generous and enthusiastic. Their hard work besides their family commitments is amazing and very much appreciated. – Some of the dedicated volunteers with great humanity in our group who stay on the ground to make sure our mission is being completed fair and square. When they came back from their visit to Sri Lanka with their own cost they shared “Heart touching “true stories. One of the stories they shared with us made the committee to start the undergarments projects.
Can you believe a schoolgirl committed suicide because of her parents couldn’t afford to buy her proper undergarments? This is happening in 20th century!! It is a shameful occurring for our community. The main focus of this project is to help the schoolgirls who can’t afford to buy decent undergarments. We chose schools farther from town areas in Northern and Eastern province with careful analysis. Family income, children amount in the family, orphans, women led families were given priority for selecting the girls at schools with the support of the principal and teachers to identify the schoolgirls who really need help. The Canadians are generous enough to come forward to help financially without any hesitation
There are pledge forms used to collect group contribution specially for youth team involvement. In addition to that donors can e-transfer directly to [email protected] and add the comments “ Undergarment donation” will be allocated the fund to this project as per donor wishes.
Providing Access to Education for Young Girls – The Undergarment Project
In Sri Lanka schoolgirls in low-income families cannot afford appropriate replaceable undergarment set and it directly affects them to access the public education. In 2016, for example, a young girl committed suicide in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka after facing repeated bullying by her peers. Because of her family’s precarious financial position, she was forced to wear the same set of undergarments day after day. Her untimely death caught the attention of many, including the Sarvaam Foundation Canada and local retailers in Sri Lanka. At least one in five Sri Lankans live in extreme poverty in post-war regions , and we know that poverty disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly in developing nations.
As a result of this case and many more like it, the Sarvaam Foundation Canada (SFC) will continue its targeted project that provides undergarments for vulnerable young girls attending public schools in War-torn areas Sri Lanka
In Summer 2018, the issue was raised at a monthly SFC committee meeting. The Board of Directors then decided to pursue this project in December 2018. Based on the proposal brought forward to the Board, the SFC bought undergarments for female students in Vavuniya and other needed areas.15 public schools were initially selected, and teachers chose the beneficiaries based on household income. The school principal and the teacher in charge were responsible to make sure the right size of the undergarment was provided to the Sarvaam Foundation Canada project team to carry on the purchase order. Details of beneficiaries were kept confidential by all parties involved.
Each young girl received a package of undergarments, which consisted of three sets of underwear, two camisoles, one bra, and one slip short. The SFC was able to secure each package at cost of 2400 LKR ( $9 CDN).
The 2018 project collected $3300 CDN from donors and served approximately 440 female students.The SFC continues to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the project, including the number of young girls who continue to require assistance and help accordingly. Given its success thus far, the SFC plans to expand into Eastern Sri Lanka and other affected regions.All young girls deserve access to public education.
Successfully moving forward more than we expected. Enthusiastic SFC volunteers are very generous and their hard work besides their family commitments is amazing and very much appreciated. Kirupa and Sakthy are active SFC members with great humanity in our group who stay on the ground to make sure our mission is being completed fair and square. After they came back from their Sri Lankan visit at their own cost, they shared “heart touching“ true stories.
From 2020 until now 3000 girls benefitted from 30 schools with this project. After receiving a survey from the undergarment beneficiaries, the reissue will be repeated once in every two years. Duration can be in every year for the reissue will depend on the generous donors like you. SFC Plans to expand the central province in future. All schoolgirls deserve access to public education without any interruptions.
