REUNITING FAMILIES
TFT is committed to reuniting children who have been abandoned through poverty with their families, and we are working with National Childcare services to identify children in the institution with potential family relationships, then seek out the parent or relative to assess their needs.
Where safe and possible we assist with re-adoption through the courts, establish the children in local schools, and provide housing and support until the reunited family can reach self-sufficiency and independence through income generation training.
With the support of our lawyer Marini de Livera, we reunited a 10 year old girl with her mother who was imprisoned when she couldn’t pay a fine for stealing food to feed her daughter. The little girl was automatically placed in an orphanage where she allegedly suffered abuse from the Careworkers. She was finally released in the New Year and lives happily with her mum in the home TFT provided. Mum is now working and the family will be self supporting in 2020.
TFT reunited Isuri, and Geethan with their sister Eromi and father Indika. We knocked down their hut and rebuilt a house. One year on their faces say it all and we are pleased to report their reintegration has been a great success. They are free, they are together and they are just so happy!
Badrani abandoned her two children through homelessness and poverty after the Asian tsunami. Piyumi was the inspiration behind Their Future Today and was our first reunited child with her brother Isuru in 2010. Isuru was placed in a different orphanage and had only seen his sister once. TFT reunited the family through the courts, built a house and supported the family to self sufficiency.
Sandeera, Samali and Shanul were reunited with their widowed mother Rukmani. They were given a home in a TFT house, the children were given school books and they were supported to self sufficiency. Shantakumara now 18 years old works to help support his family.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES
In our ongoing drive to prevent children being abandoned to Institutions and Orphanages, we identify families at risk in the community and work closely to support them with medical care; provision of required therapies for either parents or children; provision of education and tools. More importantly, following assessment, we look to implement an income generation project or provide a job opportunity in order that the family can become self-sufficient and independent in the long term.
Our Pre-School provision offers both single-parent families and those where both parents need to work, care and education to their small children at an affordable price and in some cases free.
By ensuring that their children are in a safe learning environment they are able to work and support themselves.
Desperate mothers often abandon their children at Galle Police Station. TFT assesses each families needs and provides school books or preschool support to ensure the children's education, childcare, food provision, and income generation support until the family can become sustainable.
Chaminda's life changed forever when he became paralysed. TFT provided clean water, electricity, and plumbing for a toilet and shower facilities. Schoolbooks for the children and a food allowance has helped to keep the family together. We assisted Rashan now 19 years old with interview preparation and clothing for a successful army interview. He is now taking over the support of his loving family and soon Chaminda will receive free medical treatment from the Military Hospital.
Both girls are severely disabled. Their parents care for them 24 hours a day and are unable to work. TFT provided physiotherapy and gives an allowance for medication. Thanks to equipment built by Mr Percy in their garden, Wanushi is now walking which means talented cement artist Dad is now able to work with our income generation support.
Homeless and unemployed, Chandini came to the orphanage in desperation. She felt there were no other options than to abandon her little boy. She was heartbroken. One of our TFT housemothers introduced her to Mr Percy, and we employed her as a housemother at the orphanage to provide an income, and created a mother and baby room temporarily until we found a permanent home. They are now happily reunited and Chandini has received a sewing machine to become sustainable.
Despite the fact they have no water, electricity or sanitary facilities and had to sleep on the ground until we bought them a bed, this family are so incredibly happy and grateful to be together. They are now self-sustainable thanks to our donation of a Preschool place, a sponsorship and school books for the children, two cows and an orange juicer for mum.