Longest Waiting Children

In Funyula, 64% of the population lives in absolute poverty and children are also at severe risk of abuse and exploitation from negligence, inadequate protection and education. 

In Funyula, 64% of the population lives in absolute poverty and children are also at severe risk of abuse and exploitation from negligence, inadequate protection and education. 

World Vision has been involved with Sri Lanka’s tea estate workers for many years and Lindula AP is an extension of this work. Tea plantation workers have been marginalised in Sri Lanka for a very long time. Originally brought in from South India over 150 years ago, they were eventually exploited for work and isolated from the rest of the country. World Vision’s interventions focus on the well-being of children to ensure that their health, nutrition, education and social needs are met.

In Lindula AP, the majority of the people work as pickers and labourers in the tea estates. They are paid daily, and when work is not available, they face a severe shortage of income.

Also, children lack proper education, and 45% of the population under 12 years old are illiterate. This is due to long travel distances, poor transport facilities and lack of finances for education resulting in a dropout rate of 14.5%, almost 10 times the national average.

In terms of healthcare and child protection challenges, 74% of people live in dismal housing. Whole families live in a single room that is linked to others to form a “line house”. There is little ventilation, and no privacy, and conditions are often unsanitary. Only 67.1% of households have their own latrines and the remaining families share common latrines or defecate in open areas.

In Funyula, 64% of the population lives in absolute poverty and children are also at severe risk of abuse and exploitation from negligence, inadequate protection and education. 

World Vision started its operations in Antique province in 1984 through a church partner. Over the years, the scope of work expanded and transited into longer term development programmes. With an established presence in the area, World Vision has been able to bring people together and empower local leaders and partners to make a difference for children in their community.

The Antique province has the highest rate of malnutrition in the entire Western Visayas region. With malnutrition present in the target community, children face an increased risk of wasting, stunted growth, respiratory illnesses and impaired brain development.

26% of the population in Antique live below the national poverty line. In several vulnerable families, men and boys work as sakadas, or sugarcane farmers, which is perilous work and does not generate much income. In order to ensure their families can afford basic necessities, men and boys work in other provinces and young women work as maids.

Low income levels have far reaching implications on children. It can lead to them dropping out of school to work in order to support their family. As parents are focused on finding food for the family, other responsibilities are left behind. The lack of parental guidance often leads to children engaging in delinquent behaviour.

Kuleaen 2 is located in one of the poorest provinces in the country. Here, children and families have limited or no access to clean water, quality education, healthcare, proper nutrition and child protection.

In Funyula, 64% of the population lives in absolute poverty and children are also at severe risk of abuse and exploitation from negligence, inadequate protection and education. 

In Funyula, 64% of the population lives in absolute poverty and children are also at severe risk of abuse and exploitation from negligence, inadequate protection and education.