Germany grants over Rs. 2 m in financial assistance for healthcare for children with disabilities

The German Embassy in Colombo signed an agreement with Human Link (Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities) on a grant of over Rs.2 million in an effort to promote inclusive physical and psychological health care of children with disabilities. 

Human Link, the implementing partner of this micro-project, operates a resource centre for persons with disabilities since 2007 in the district of Ampara, which focuses on many aspects; ranging from special education, skill development, healthcare, as well as vocational training and religious and cultural activities. 

Taking also into account the new challenges posed by the COVID-19 situation, the funds provided by the Embassy will be utilized to establish a fully-fledged student-centred Occupational and Physiotherapy Unit in the centre in Maruthamunai, Ampara with the procurement of appropriate learning materials, assessments, and coaching equipment to facilitate the special needs of the children. 

Furthermore the voluntary staff of Human Link will receive training by qualified experts in order to use the materials appropriately and to assist the youth with physiotherapy. Human Link will also conduct awareness sessions coupled with parent motivational programs. This will directly and indirectly benefit the 65 children currently attending the centre from various ethnic and religion communities with conditions like; ADHD, hearing, speech and visual impairment, down syndrome, autism or cerebral palsy. The project also strives to increase the capacity to accommodate more participants in the program to up to 200 participants.

The agreement for this project was signed on 17 June, at the German Embassy between German Ambassador Jörn Rohde and President of Human Link K.M. Roshan and Board Member M. M. Nasmy. Deputy Ambassador and Head of Economic Development Andreas Berg also attended this event.