EDUCATING THE GIRL CHILD
Project Rationale
At the International Convention held in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2006, it was agreed that the next International Social Project would be UNICEF Girls’ Education. It was decided at the next convention held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia that the same project will be continued for 2009-2012.
The successful education of girls in Sri Lanka is obstructed due to numerous reasons, mainly due to socio-economical reasons. Poverty-stricken families, especially female headed families with several members are the worst affected, for children in these families are not adequately supported financially in order to pursue their education. Most children do not have the necessary educational supplies or materials required to attend school regularly. The lack of school uniforms, shoes and other basic necessities prevent very poor parents from sending their children to school and supporting the continuation of their education.
Educating the girl child is a long term successful investment for any family, community or country; as educated girls become educated adults and mothers, who positively contribute to the development, progress, safety and well-being not only of the family, but also of the community and the country at large.
As UNICEF has highlighted, a girls’ education translates directly and quickly into;
 
- Better nutrition for the family
- Better healthcare
- Reduced child and maternal mortality
- Prevention of HIV/AIDS
- Family planning
- Poverty reduction
- Better overall economic performance
Beneficiaries (Target Groups)
The 2010-2011 District Project aims at educating 60 girls between 10 and 14 years of ages from female headed, single parent families; where the mother is unemployed or having an unstable income and thus financially struggling to educate her children. We intend to provide School Kits containing educational materials and other necessary school supplies in two phases. The first will be implemented in August and the second in December 2010.
These children will be identified and selected with the assistance from the Department of Probation and Child Care Services in the North Central Province, Eastern Province Central Province and Southern Province. Priority will be given to girls who have not received any support or have received less support from government or non-government agencies, in order to ensure that they attend school to receive a proper, good education.
School Kits provided to girls will include the following items;
- School bag (1)
- Socks (2 pairs)
- Handkerchiefs (2)
- Lunch box (1)
- Exercise books – 80 pages (11)
- Foot Ruler (1)
- Pencils (2)
- Pens (5)
- Eraser (1)
- Pencil Sharpner (1)
- Colour pencils (1 box)
- Pencil case (1)
- Scissors (1)
- Umbrella (1)
- Underwear/Panties (2)
- Petticoats (2)
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