Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities

Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities Not for profit Non-Government Organization located in Australia and Sri Lanka.

Volunteers to Assist Children with Disabilities Limited (VACD) is a not for profit, non-government, limited liability charity registered in Australia and Sri Lanka that is administered by a team of dedicated volunteers. What we do:
• Establish VACD centers in key townships across Sri Lanka where children with disabilities will be provided with special education,
life skills, vocational, music and

dance training.
• Sponsor and equip clinics at local hospitals to facilitate regular health checkups, medication, therapy, and rehabilitation for children with disabilities.
• Provide children with disabilities with hearing aids, spectacles, walkers, wheel chairs, and subsidize travel and accommodation when special medical attention is needed.
• Provide skills training and micro finance to parents of children with disabilities to supplement their household income.
• Engage with the local community, businesses, government, departments and ministries to eliminate social stigma and isolation and uplift the welfare and rights of children with disabilities and their families.
• Provide monthly allowances for educational purposes for disabled children with academic potential or gifted siblings.

Mr Ilkangesh, Agricultural Instructor Department of Agriculture visited VACD Ambagasdowa centre to present to the paren...
29/07/2025

Mr Ilkangesh, Agricultural Instructor Department of Agriculture visited VACD Ambagasdowa centre to present to the parents a pilot program conceived by the department to improve rural livelihoods, enhance food security and build climate resilience in Sri Lanka.

This program was earlier delivered to VACD Bandarawela parents.

As part of this pilot project Mr Ilkangesh instructed the parents on mushroom farming.

Once parents are assisted in the initial setting up of their home mushroom farms, it is envisaged that they will continue with this lucrative occupation.

Our sincere thanks to Caritas of Badulla, Sri Lanka who are proud sponsors of this wonderful initiative.

Members of VACD Sri Lanka’s leadership team (left to right: Mr D M Ranathunge – Director of Projects & Programs, Mr Padm...
25/07/2025

Members of VACD Sri Lanka’s leadership team (left to right: Mr D M Ranathunge – Director of Projects & Programs, Mr Padmasiri Weraniyagoda – Treasurer, Mrs Chandra Abeysinghe – Director) and on extreme right: Mrs Nandini – Office Administrator are seen here carrying out a review of two ongoing programs:
Educational Assistance Program – which gives a monthly allowance for a child with disabilities or a sibling who shows academic promise for educational purposes
Family Assistance Program – which gives a monthly allowance to families who are undergoing severe financial hardship

These reviews are carried out regularly to determine the eligibility of recipients of sponsorships under one of the above programs.

Sponsors of these programs pay a monthly sponsorship of A$25 or equivalent.
Do consider joining us on our rewarding journey as a sponsor by getting in touch with us by email on fstephen@bigpond.net.au.

The older children at VACD centres also learn to cook basic meals, which is a skill that will serve them well when they ...
21/07/2025

The older children at VACD centres also learn to cook basic meals, which is a skill that will serve them well when they are older and seeking independence.

They will learn safe kitchen practices, hygiene in food preparation and good nutrition based on simple, inexpensive and wholesome ingredients which are all aspects of cooking that will ensure healthier lives.

We have no doubt that these children may well go on to impart their newfound knowledge among their family and friends.

https://www.vacd.org.au/donate/

The older children with disabilities who attend the Bandarawela VACD centre are seen here learning life skills while pra...
14/07/2025

The older children with disabilities who attend the Bandarawela VACD centre are seen here learning life skills while practising making tea, while also perfecting their gross and fine motor skills.

They learnt safe practices in the kitchen while taking turns to use both hands to carefully pour out water from the kettle without spilling, through a strainer into a cup.

07/07/2025

As part of their ongoing life skills development, the older children at VACD’s Bandarawela Centre were recently introduced to the art of jam making. This hands-on session was led by our dedicated Head Educator, Ms. Ramya, with the support of Ms. Premali and Ms. Kanishka.

The children actively engaged in every stage of the process — from sterilising jars and utensils, sorting, washing, and chopping the fruit, to mixing ingredients, stirring the pot, and finally bottling their own batch of homemade Jumbu (rose apple) jam.

The session ended on a joyful note, with plenty of enthusiastic taste testers, including our youngest little ones — clearly, the most anticipated part of the day!

At VACD, we believe in equipping every child with practical skills and joyful learning experiences. If you’d like to support our life-changing programs, please consider donating or sharing our mission.

👉 https://www.vacd.org.au/donate/

Together, we’re creating brighter futures — one sweet moment at a time.

07/07/2025

The children learn how to make jam

The children attending VACD’s Ambagasdowa Centre received a very welcome treat a few weeks ago when the local Assistant...
01/07/2025

The children attending VACD’s Ambagasdowa Centre received a very welcome treat a few weeks ago when the local Assistant Government Agent’s Office organised and financed an excursion for them to visit both Udawalawe National Park and Ridiyagama Safari Park. Both parks are home to hundreds of elephants and other rare plants and wildlife.

The children were overjoyed to experience the sights and sounds of the national parks, and VACD joins them in thanking the AGA’s office for their generosity in making this excursion happen.

Mr Ilkangash, Agricultural Instructor from the Department of Agriculture spent several hours with interested parents of ...
26/06/2025

Mr Ilkangash, Agricultural Instructor from the Department of Agriculture spent
several hours with interested parents of VACD’s Bandarawela Centre as part of the Department’s program to improve rural livelihoods, enhance food security and build climate resilience in Sri Lanka.

As part of this pilot project with the Department of Agriculture Mr Ilkangash demonstrated to the parents the process of growing mushrooms.

As there is already a steady demand for mushrooms especially from the hospitality industry, there will be a ready market available for the producers.
Once the parents are assisted in the initial stages of setting up their home mushroom producing projects, they will then continue with this lucrative occupation.

We thank Caritas of Badulla, Sri Lanka who are the sponsors of this most valuable project.

It was time for another ‘pola’ or market for fresh produce at the Ambagasdowa VACD Centre, where the families who have h...
23/06/2025

It was time for another ‘pola’ or market for fresh produce at the Ambagasdowa VACD Centre, where the families who have home garden produce surplus to their needs get together and sell them, including sometimes their craft items.

It is a win for all – the buyers from the local area get to consume fresh greens and vegetables and an opportunity to meaningfully support the families, the families earn some extra income, and the children learn how to manage cash. The more astute parents bank their takings to be used in future for their children’s needs.

The dancers from VACD Badulla Centre named the Dora Jeanne Centre for Children with Disabilities (sponsored by Greg Fend...
17/06/2025

The dancers from VACD Badulla Centre named the Dora Jeanne Centre for Children with Disabilities (sponsored by Greg Fendler and family from Sydney, and named after Greg’s sister) were happy to show off their talent when Mr Felix Stephen (Founder and Chairman VACD Australia) visited along with Dr Gopi Kitnasamy (Founder Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation), Mr. Rajkaran Mahendran (Physiotherapist at Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation), Mr D M Ranathunge (Director Projects & Programs VACD Sri Lanka) and Retd Colonel R M Kumarasinghe (Secretary VACD Sri Lanka).

There was an air of festivity in the centre as it was decorated with lanterns in preparation for the forthcoming Vesak festival, which marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha.

The children, staff and parents of the VACD Bandarawela centre joyfully welcomed Mr Felix Stephen (Chairman and Founder ...
13/06/2025

The children, staff and parents of the VACD Bandarawela centre joyfully welcomed Mr Felix Stephen (Chairman and Founder VACD Australia) and Mrs Yasmin Stephen (Administration & Communication Secretary VACD Australia) with sheaves of betel leaves, in the traditional Sri Lankan manner when they visited the centre on their self-funded tour recently.

Address

No: 26, Worthing Place
Cherrybrook, NSW
2126

Telephone

+61409601808

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