Sri Lanka's tea plantation region is one of the poorest in the country with human development indicators below all national indicators. The literacy rate for children is only 80% compared to 95% everywhere else. The unhealthy living conditions, malnutrition, poverty, economic migration of mothers contribute to the high rate of school dropout and child labour.

The ATOZ Foundation is happy to support the PADEM on this project to provide a safe environment for the education and development of vulnerable children in 4 tea plantations and 4 neighbouring villages in the Nuwara Eliya district, Sri Lanka. This will help over 3,000 people including children, parents, teachers, local leaders and community members.

This project aims to:

1) Put mechanisms in place for the protection of children’s rights in these areas and ensure them a good quality education.

2) Increase the capacity of 8 nursery and primary schools in the tea plantation region.

3) Improve basic infrastructure in nursery schools and common areas to ensure a safe and happy area for children to learn.

4) Empower communities and villages. The active participation of beneficiaries is ensured through pre-school development societies and child rights monitoring committees as well as children's clubs. Structures are also put in place to ensure responsibilities are met.