Danu signs MoU with World Vision a project to uplift the mental wellbeing of vulnerable children through sports

21 December 2024 03:40 am Views - 377

L-R - Dr. Senathirajah, Danu Innasithamby and  Stanlake Kaziboni, Director, International Resource 
Development Management at World Vision Lanka 

• Ongoing research done in the area reveals that an alarming number of children suffer from depleting mental health issues
• Our work impacts the lives of over 100,000 children
• This partnership aims to provide access to 
• education and giving an opportunity to excel in sports

In a bid to improve the mental wellbeing of children in rural areas of the country, renowned media personality and Channel Head of Hi TV Danu Innasithamby signed a memorandum of understanding with World Vision Lanka. This collaboration aims to raise voices of children who suffer day in and day out, so that their voices could be heard by the public and by leaders who make decisions. Danu will come onboard the Every Mind Matters campaign which brings in the aspect of sports and how sports can be used for positive mental health. This partnership aims to provide children and youth with much needed access to education while giving them an opportunity to excel in sports.
Speaking at a recent media briefing, World Vision Lanka National Director Dr. Dhanan Senathirajah said that World Vision’s primary goal is the sustained wellbeing of children particularly the most vulnerable children in Sri Lanka. “Children are an indicator of a community’s health. When children thrive, the community thrives. Their mental wellbeing plays a crucial role in their development and has a big impact on their dreams and aspirations for a glorious future. World Vision serves the most vulnerable children and their communities. We are into our 48th year and we have worked in 24 out of the 25 districts in the country. Our work impacts the lives of over 100,000 children. Danu has been a great advocate for mental wellbeing of children and we are proud to partner with him. He will partner with us on the Every Mind Matters campaign on improving the mental wellbeing of children throughout Sri Lanka, particularly in the North. This will be done through sports. Ongoing research done in the area reveals that an alarming number of children suffer from depleting mental health issues. As a result they are highly vulnerable to drugs, violence and other types of abuse and in worst cases suicide. The campaign was launched last year as a 70km long distance race in the Hill Country and it continued in 2024 as an 80km race. Proceeds from this campaign were used to provide sports equipment to schools and youth clubs and training for the coaches. By partnering with Danu we can multiply the impact and create lasting change in the community,” he added. 

In his remarks, Danu said that for the children in the North they are not only deprived of opportunities but they also come from generations of pain and abuse. “These children are being brought up in an environment that is grey and there isn’t anything beyond this circle. Having a simple conversation with them will actually make them believe that there’s so much they could do. Dreams are just so free and those who have the resources and organizations like this give the fuel for dreams to become a reality. The projects will begin from the North and that ripple effect will go on serving the country in many ways than one. Sometimes we see children in Colombo who are deprived of opportunities because they are in an environment that doesn’t allow them to thrive. If we can help these children think beyond their current circumstances, embrace positivity, and dream big, we will be planting seeds of hope—not just for them, but for an entire generation, and ultimately, for our country’s future,” he added.