Posts in category: Uncategorized

In a dedicated training facility located in the heart of Kandy, a pivotal initiative is underway—something that could change the way communities advocate for the rights of their children.

This time, it wasn’t the children who were learning. It was the dedicated staff of the Women’s Development Centre (WDC), gathered to explore a tool that has been changing lives—the Child Innovation Lab Tool.

The Child Innovation Lab Tool is more than just a teaching tool. It’s a pathway for children to discover their voices, learn about their rights, and understand how to navigate systems that often overlook their needs. In a country like Sri Lanka, where many are still unaware of the rights afforded to them—especially children—this tool becomes a bridge between silence and self-advocacy.

Usually used directly with children, the Child Innovation Lab tool helps them identify the key issues in their lives, recognize their rights, and most importantly, understand who they can turn to for support. It’s designed to build independence, confidence, and resilience. So, when LEADS eventually steps back from a community, the children are not left vulnerable. Instead, they are empowered to speak up, stand up, and take initiative.

But this time, the focus was on building capacity among the caregivers and community leaders—those who walk beside children every day. By equipping WDC staff with this tool, LEADS is planting seeds for deeper, more sustainable change.

Throughout the sessions, the WDC staff engaged in practical learning, role-playing scenarios, and heartfelt discussions. They explored the importance of helping children understand their rights, how to use the tool in sensitive situations, and how to encourage self-advocacy in a safe and empowering way.

This training wasn’t just about passing on knowledge. It was about strengthening a network of protectors, advocates, and guides—people who now carry with them the power of a tool that helps children believe in their worth and their voice.

By investing in those who serve children, LEADS ensures that long after our direct interventions end, the message continues: every child has a right to be heard, to be safe, and to shape their future.

Fresh, ripe, and bursting with flavor —organically grown strawberries are more than just a treat for the taste buds. They carry a story of resilience, empowerment, and community upliftment. LEADS as an organisation dedicated to supporting young survivors of abuse and aiding farmers in the hill country, initiated this meaningful new venture—one that blends sustainability with social impact.

This initiative is about more than just agriculture; it’s about healing, hope, and economic empowerment. The strawberries and fresh vegetables cultivated through this programme are not just produce—they symbolise opportunity. By equipping survivors and struggling farmers to grow and harvest high-quality crops, LEADS is paving a path toward self-sufficiency, dignity, and a brighter future for many.

The true essence of this initiative lies in its impact on young survivors. Each strawberry grown represents a step forward, a moment of triumph against adversity.

By choosing to support this venture, you are not just purchasing fresh, delicious produce. You are contributing to a cause that nurtures lives and strengthens communities. Every bite carries the essence of resilience and hope, reminding us of all that even the smallest seed can bloom into something extraordinary.

So, the next time you savor the sweetness of a fresh, organic strawberry, know that you are tasting more than just fruit, you are experiencing the power of empowerment, perseverance, and change.