Our Programs
Home for Academically Gifted Orphaned Girls
The Malini Foundation is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy and sustainable living environment for academically gifted orphaned girls who have no other options for care. Our model is unique in Sri Lanka because it stands in the middle of a traditional children’s home and the foster care system.
Under the care of housemothers who serve as loving parents and role models, we hope to foster a love for learning while building confidence and self-worth. With a focus on a holistic education, we are committed to creating a family-oriented home that promotes the acceptance of differences andsuccessfully transitions girls into empowered women and contributing members of society.
“The Malini Foundation’s model is one-of-a-kind in Sri Lanka. Most homes have a range of children – those with serious disabilities to the few who are naturally talented. Of course, everyone is treated equally and provided with the same resources but this is a disservice to those with a passion for education. Now these girls can receive the best educational resources possible so they can grow up to be leaders in their community.” ~ Commission of Child Protection
At the age of 18, the girls will move into our transitional program where we will continue to nurture them as young adults until the age of 24. They will either attend university or receive tailored skills training or other educational opportunities in order to secure their success into adulthood.
The Malini Foundation is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy and sustainable living environment for academically gifted orphaned girls who have no other options for care. Our model is unique in Sri Lanka because it stands in the middle of a traditional children’s home and the foster care system.
Under the care of housemothers who serve as loving parents and role models, we hope to foster a love for learning while building confidence and self-worth. With a focus on a holistic education, we are committed to creating a family-oriented home that promotes the acceptance of differences andsuccessfully transitions girls into empowered women and contributing members of society.
“The Malini Foundation’s model is one-of-a-kind in Sri Lanka. Most homes have a range of children – those with serious disabilities to the few who are naturally talented. Of course, everyone is treated equally and provided with the same resources but this is a disservice to those with a passion for education. Now these girls can receive the best educational resources possible so they can grow up to be leaders in their community.” ~ Commission of Child Protection
At the age of 18, the girls will move into our transitional program where we will continue to nurture them as young adults until the age of 24. They will either attend university or receive tailored skills training or other educational opportunities in order to secure their success into adulthood.
Community Outreach Programs
At the Malini Foundation, we focus our community outreach programs on the priorities of the people our efforts serve. Using an issue-based method, we assess the major needs of a community that align with our mission to advance the interests of girls and women. We then tailor creative programs that engage leadership participation of community members.
This bottom-up participatory approach enhances women’s decision-making powers and allows them to play a role in their own community’s development. As a result, the men and women of the community are more inclined to adopt new ideas, change behavior and are empowered to independently address the targeted issues in the long run.
Our first community outreach program will be implemented in the Uva Province in Summer 2014. We are currently completing our needs assessment and designing our initiatives using a participatory approach.
At the Malini Foundation, we focus our community outreach programs on the priorities of the people our efforts serve. Using an issue-based method, we assess the major needs of a community that align with our mission to advance the interests of girls and women. We then tailor creative programs that engage leadership participation of community members.
This bottom-up participatory approach enhances women’s decision-making powers and allows them to play a role in their own community’s development. As a result, the men and women of the community are more inclined to adopt new ideas, change behavior and are empowered to independently address the targeted issues in the long run.
Our first community outreach program will be implemented in the Uva Province in Summer 2014. We are currently completing our needs assessment and designing our initiatives using a participatory approach.
Women’s Livelihood Program
Our artisan merchandising initiative creates livelihood opportunities for women who have gone through extraordinarily traumatic lives, empowering them to deliver themselves out of poverty. The program includes training, workshops and ongoing support, using a participatory approach, allowing them to generate a sustainable source of income.
Women learn not only trade skills but also general household management and financial skills, to ensure long-term solutions to economic challenges. These skills not only benefit the women who participate in the program but also their children, who can use them in the same way, now and in the future.
Our artisan merchandising initiative creates livelihood opportunities for women who have gone through extraordinarily traumatic lives, empowering them to deliver themselves out of poverty. The program includes training, workshops and ongoing support, using a participatory approach, allowing them to generate a sustainable source of income.
Women learn not only trade skills but also general household management and financial skills, to ensure long-term solutions to economic challenges. These skills not only benefit the women who participate in the program but also their children, who can use them in the same way, now and in the future.
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