Asha Foundation

Asha Foundation's main activity is based around the community of Badowita in Mount Lavinia, Colombo. This is a low income settlement where approximately 18,000 people reside. The area suffers from multiple deprivation including poor housing, high unemployment and lack of opportunities for children and young people, especially those with disabilities and special needs. Asha Foundation provides services to children, families and elders living in this area. Our most recent achievement has been the construction of a purpose-built community centre where community based activities and projects take place. We offer support to all in the community regardless of ethnicity or religion and do not promote one religion over another. Our current projects include:

- Afterschool provision for children behind in their schooling. Educational support in Sinhala, Tamil, English, Maths and Computing is offered to those in need on a daily basis.

- Educational and medical/therapeutic support for those with disabilities in the area.

- Counselling to both children and adults in need.

- Sewing project - this is an income generation scheme for adults in the area unable to find work due to to family commitments or other reasons so that they can earn money whilst working at home.

- Elders - Basic rations/essential medicines are provided to isolated elders in the area who have limited family support and who are unable to generate an adequate income for themselves.

- Employment training for young people. We have run several courses in conjunction with industry professionals in order to enable young people to find stable and permanent work. Please get in contact for more information on present and future projects.