Power Foundation

A Sri Lankan organisation which works at a grassroots level, principally with the communities of the Tamil tea plantation workers, empowering them to articulate their views and concerns more clearly.

Overview

Power foundation works at a grassroots level mainly amongst the tea plantation workers in central Sri Lanka. It acts to promote awareness of gender equality, to ease the ethnic conflict, and to conduct peace building-building activities between the plantation workers and neighbouring villages.

We conduct ‘cultural sharing’ programs and educational programs to promote ethnic cooperation between Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims and to facilitate a better understanding on the ethnic conflict.

We have observed that the voice of the majority of both ethnic communities is not heard by Sri Lanka’s decision-makers. It is at the grassroots level that the communities operate and it is at the grassroots level that the community suffers the most, but the grassroots are not politically represented. Through working with both Tamils and Sinhalese, we have got to know that neither ethnicity in grassroots level want to divide the country. They only want to live together in harmony, sharing power for the benefit of all. Most of these groups perceive war as a creation of politicians, in which the common people lose no matter what happens.

Further, we perceive that the ethnic differences are not highlighted among grassroots communities. The differences are pointed out and the divisions are created through the interference of the middle class.

What Services Are Provided?

• training on Human rights,
• worker’s rights,
• child rights,
• gender development,
• community leadership,
• income generation,
• vocational training

Geographical Area of Operation

Badulla district , Thalawa, Central province

Funding Resources

Flict, Oxfam, Asia foundation, IFAD

What Further Information Would You Like?

Experience sharing with similar groups, information on available materials on peace building and development activities, Assistance to put up a permanent training centre, information about new techniques, trainings and available assistance for the development of the community radio- Mulakkam

What New Contacts Would You Like To Make?

We would like to meet peace building organisations around the world, with funding organisations, organisations that support in  strengthening institutions.

Associated Organisations

102 Community based organisations in Badulla district