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Muthur Area Program

Sponsor a child

Program Type

Community Development

Planned Life Cycle

2016 - 2031

Location

Sri Lanka

Areas of Focus

Livelihoods | Child Protection and Participation

Program Timeline

Status: Active

Progress

765people were actively involved in savings groups, providing them with financial literacy training and access to small loans

Progress

359children and youth participated in groups and clubs, gathering with peers to develop new skills and positive values

Progress

299youth participated in life skills training through World Vision programs

A white jeep driving through a muddy path, featuring a rainbow and trees in the background.

Program Details

Context

The rural community of Muthur is home to 21,311 people"including more than 7,000 children. Roughly 70 per cent of the land is used for agriculture, however prolonged drought and recurrent flooding make it difficult for families to grow food and earn an income. In monsoon season, heavy rainfall floods the area, cutting off road access for both farmers and students alike. As a result, children living on low-lying land often miss school and even government exams -which only occur once a year.

Most of the community is still living with the aftermath of the last civil war, which lasted from 1983 to 2009. Some have been left with disabilities, some homeless and some without husbands or fathers. The heads of important government departments are constantly in flux, making it challenging at times for development progress to unfold steadily.

...
Challenges
Health Care
In Muthur, malnutrition and access to quality health care are challenges for many families. According to a recent survey, 46.9 per cent of children were found to be stunted in height, while 30.4 per cent were underweight. Although many children suffer malnourishment, seeking quality health care is difficult. Health facilities in the area are underequipped, with just one health worker available per 6000 people. There are only seven maternal and child health clinics in the entire community and when flooding occurs, many families are completely cut off from road access altogether. Only 45% of community members say they can get to a health facility in 30 minutes or less.

Reaching mothers in the community is particularly challenging. Most pregnant women register late and do not get the care they need to deliver healthy children. At least 14.2 per cent of children are born with a low birth weight and less than 75 per cent receive all of their necessary vaccinations. At 34.7 per cent, the rate of teenage pregnancy is also a community concern.

Education
Addressing the state of education is a key priority for families in Muthur. Right now, only 59 per cent of students get all the way through to grade 11 and 17 per cent of children aren't even enrolled in school. Children who are suffering extreme poverty, who live with families affected by the war and resettlement and whose mothers have migrated away for work are among those who do not attend school.

Those who do attend are still set back by the quality of education they receive. There are few teachers and a shortage of effective learning materials to help students achieve grade-appropriate literacy and numeracy skills. School Development Societies are limited and many administrators don't have the training on proper school management that they need. As a result, the number of children who have passed exams has dropped from 75 per cent in 2014 to 67 per cent in 2015. Only 34 per cent passed English and only 51 per cent passed Math at the standard level of examinations. Teachers and school administrators alike both need more support to create child-friendly, engaging classrooms that allow students to interact and learn.

Child Protection
Another key area of focus in Muthur is to improve the quality of child protection and participation. Although many children report feeling safe in their community, at least a third of them lack a strong connection with their parent or caregiver. Limited communication, personal attention, quality time and a respect for their rights and freedoms can all contribute to the distance children feel from their parents.

Some children are particularly vulnerable to practices such as early marriage. Often, these youth have parents who have migrated either out of the country or elsewhere domestically to find work and earn money for their family. In many cases, it is mothers who must travel to the Middle East to find gainful employment to support their children. This gap in children's lives leaves them vulnerable and exposed. Some children also struggle in homes where alcoholism and abuse exist....
Plans
Health Care
To improve nutrition and ensure families have access to quality health care, World Vision will work to:
  • Partner with the Ministry of Health to implement nutrition-relatedactivities and monitoring
  • Ensure children's nutritional statuses are monitored and supported in preschools
  • Increase the percentage of underweight children who are enrolled in nutritional rehabilitation programs
  • Build capacity for health care providers and increase access to essential health services

Education
To help students enroll and progress through school successfully, World Vision will partner with the community to:
  • Address the quality of teaching and learning environments in primary schools to better reach students
  • Strengthen community-based systems, groups and committees to better support improved education
  • Improve child-friendly environments in pre and primary school to motivate students to participate actively in class

Child Protection
To ensure all children feel valued, loved and free to use their voice, World Vision will strive to:
  • Empower community members to promote care for children and protection of child rights
  • Enhance the participation of children in conversations and decisions that are related to their own wellbeing
  • Increase the involvement of community members to develop and participatein child monitoring
...
An image of children sitting on the ground in a classroom, writing in workbooks.

Results

Unless otherwise stated, data presented on this page reflects the most up-to-date results of World Vision Canada programs reported between October 2023 and September 2024, and any previous fiscal years available. Previously reported data may not match the current presentation as we continuously receive and refine data from our programs. If you have any questions, kindly reach out to us.