Project achievements

Initial findings

There was an initial survey to find out the conditions in the community. Data on 98 children under the age of 5 years was collected. The main findings of the report were as follows.

• 28% of babies born to parents living in Samerakoon Watta had low birth weight.

• More than one third of children under five were suffering from malnutrition.

• 52% of children in their second year were malnourished.

• 80% of the children suffered from some form of illness in a selected two week period.

• Mothers also had to resort to loan sharks for money when children fell ill.

Final project report

According to the final report produced for the project, the community has developed significantly over the course of the project and many of the changes are not easily measured. Significant proportions of the community have benefited from trainings which covered areas related to income generating activities, health and nutrition, early child care and development and the environment. Local children have participated in positive activities in the Children’s Club which is now held in the newly completed community building. Community members who have savings has increased, improving their ability to cope with shocks, and there is now easy access to low interest loans, enabling people to make significant changes in their lives on their own terms.

For community members, the new community building is the physical marker of all the successes of the project. It is apparent that the community is happy and proud to have an attractive building which is versatile in its uses. The current effective management of the building by community members is testament to their development over the course of the project and all stakeholders are confident that the community will continue to ensure the building is used to deliver services and activities for local people into the future.

The final report from the project also showed the following:

• 100% of mothers now have savings. The default rate has been higher than expected, but the mother’s group has taken action to correct this. For example, if a mother has savings, no interest is paid on this until the loan has been brought back up to date.

• The community how has a refuse collection. In addition to this, the project worked to cut down on the number of plastic bags that were being used, as they were littering the community. Mothers now have reusable jute bags so they do not need to use plastic bags. 73% of households reported that use of plastic bags has decreased during the project.

• Children’s clubs have been established.

• All mothers are now aware of what a balanced diet is. Children are weighed regularly – this takes place in the community building.

• 99% of people now have access to health care. This was just over 70% at the start of the project.

• 96% of children now attending school – this was just over 70% at the start of the project.