Friday, April 26, 2019

Feel Good Friday - SERVE

After watching the news from Sri Lanka about the bombings on Easter, I went looking for something positive happening in the country that I could highlight on Feel Good Friday. That's when I found SERVE.

SERVE, which stands for Socio-Economic, Ecological, Religious, Virtuous Empowerment is "a non-profit organization established in 1999 working with and for the rights of children and families" in ten districts in Sri Lanka.

SERVE partners with social workers to support community development through self-help groups for women and programs for children. Their approach focuses on social empowerment (community problem solving), economic empowerment (forming groups to save money that can be loaned to members), and political empowerment (solving neighborhood issues). You see them in action in this short video.

Current projects include running children's centers to provide homework help, computer classes and art classes; supporting women in prison with skill development, income generation activities and reintegration assistance; and providing karate and life skill lessons to adolescent girls to help them develop self-discipline and confidence.

If you want to support the work that SERVE is doing, they welcome volunteers to help in the classroom with English, computer, arts and music instruction or professionals who can help with teacher training, IT support and social work. Donations are also accepted and you can keep current with SERVE by liking their Facebook page.

If you'd like to make a donation to help the victims of the bombings in Sri Lanka, you'll find resources and options at this link.


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