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.
