The AYATI Centre - Sri Lanka’s first National Centre for Children with Disabilities, is taking shape to address a large, yet not much spoken of issue of Disability.
Derived from the word ‘hope’ in Sanskrit, the ‘AYATI’ project is a long-term, sustainable national initiative aimed at helping children with disabilities to reach their full potential through early intervention and guidance.
The ultimate objective being to create an opportunity for them to be integrated in the society effectively. AYATI hopes to improve the children’s quality of life and independence, making them reach a life as full as possible.
According to statistics, demographics show that approximately 20% of Sri Lankan child population could be affected with some form of disability. Most parents are unable to identify this limitations early and even when they do are not willing to accept it due to social and personal pressures.
Early interventions and participation by the parents to support the child, under proper guidance can bring hope for a better life. Being a rising concern in Sri Lanka, AYATI Centre will bridge the gap between the need for professional support with trained professionals, research and development. AyatiTrust will work on creating awareness of this social issue and try pave ways to minimize the stigma. AYATI Centre will offer its services free of charge, effective early 2020
The building of AYATI Centreinvolved a total cost of Rs. 550 million and was funded by AYATI Trust Sri Lanka; a public private partnership incorporated by the University of Kelaniya, Hemas Holdings PLC and MAS Holdings. The project’s key donors comprised of Hemas Holdings PLC and MAS Holdings, Roshan Wijerama Family Foundation, along with the University of Kelaniya, and the Sri Lanka Army. Rotary partnered the project by sponsoring facilities needed for audiology. Alongside donations were also made by People’s Bank, People’s Leasing, John Keells Holdings, Foundation of Goodness and other well-wishers.
This much needed initiative will see the light of day soon, helping a large number of children and their families to derive “ Hope for More”. The vision of the Trust it to create a Centre of Excellence to address this issue needs national interventions.
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