Our Projects


Care in the Community


Thousands of children were orphaned in the latter part of a violent conflict in northern Sri Lanka that only ceased two years ago. Serendip, working alongside local government authorities, is currently delivering a 'Care in the Community' project in Jaffna. Serendip is currently providing financial support to 34 children via their extended families. The type of support for each family is determined via participatory evaluations conducted by Serendip field staffs, who are themselves members of the community. Monthly cash grants are being made to assist with:

  • Rebuilding livelihoods; including the provision of seeds, tools, animal stock and other income generating materials
  • Education support; purchasing of learning materials and uniforms
  • Healthcare support; medical assistance, counselling and the provision of medications and items such as mosquito nets
  • Food and nutritional support;

All in all the grant to each child is the rupee equivalent of the £15p/m Each child is allocated a sponsor who receives a welcome pack. Letters and cards can be exchanged between sponsor and child throughout the lifetime of the sponsorship. Although most of the children will be Tamil, Serendip does not align or support any religious, political, linguistic or racial faction. We stand ready to help any child irrespective of ethnicity.

Would you be interested in sponsoring a child? Please e-mail us at info@serendipchildrenshome.com


Widow Self-Reliance Projects


One other consequence of the conflict was the large number of widows with children. Having lost the main family breadwinner they are ill-equipped to replace their lost income. Much of the local economy was destroyed or damaged. One option for these widows is to start their own business, either singly or in cooperation with others.

Working with partners and agents in Sri Lanka Serendip is able, once a suitable business opportunity is identified, to provide a combination of grants (free) and soft-loans (interest free). The aim is to create strong businesses that are provably successful by servicing these loans. Such repaid loans are recycled to support other future businesses. Below are two examples.

1 - A Co-operative (Valvoom Meendum - Rise again) for 30 widows in the Jaffna area producing candles, incense sticks and stationary. Our financial contribution allowed them to purchase the equipment and some stock. All the profits are divided between the widows. This will provide them with a valuable income for their families.

2 - A self-sufficiency project (Puthiya Paathai- New Route) to assist initially, 20 widows in becoming self-employed workers. Serendip purchases the necessary 'stock' to allow them to start a small business. This could be for example, a chicken 'farm' or a brick making enterprise. In this way, for minimal cost, they will be able to become self-sufficient. Serendip provides a mixture of grants and soft-loans. The need to repay the loan element motivates the beneficiaries to work hard and will be paid back within two years when the 'business' is successful. That money will then be recycled towards other widows launching similar businesses.

Successful businesses will provide a living income for these widows and children, reduce their dependence upon handouts (which are never sufficient) and inject valuable finance into the local economy. We draw upon our general funds but will also be sourcing sponsors (at £250 per business).

Would you be interested in becoming one? Please e-mail us at info@serendipchildrenshome.com


Scholarship Schemes


We are assisting talented young orphaned pupils in Jaffna (20) and Batticalloa (20) by sending a stipend each month to their schools. These funds help pay for their food, especially breakfast, some books and tuition.


Help for the suffering


Apart from natural causes there are a number of children now suffering from mental health issues due to the war. We have teamed up with a local organisation named Ark, based in Jaffna to supply them with funds to help those children.

Another group of sufferers are cancer affected children, often from a very poor background. As can be imagined the sort of treatment we may receive in the West, or even in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, is far superior than anything these children can look forward too. The particular ones we are helping are sadly terminally ill but their treatment can delay the inevitable.

In both cases we are unable to assist in their treatment but our help can give the children a little happiness i.e. paying for days out and treats.


Children's Home


Originally, the Charity was to build a home for 50 orphaned girls. Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan Government has decided to stop new homes being built and progressively close down existing ones. We are afraid that all homes are likely to be closed in due course. Further details can be accessed via http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/world-south-asia-14857783