Strong through change
With the GRACE project, humedica today supports schools in Sri Lanka in protecting children and young people from drugs, risky behavior and increasing social pressure. Teachers are trained, older pupils are sensitized as role models and entire school communities are strengthened in recognizing risks early on and accompanying children safely through difficult phases of life.
GRACE stands for central values that strengthen children not only at school, but also emotionally and socially:
Growth: Personal development and life skills
Responsibility: Responsible decisions
Awareness: Recognizing risks (e.g. drugs, social media)
Care: Strengthening a safe, appreciative environment
Empowerment: self-empowerment, turning students and teachers into multipliers
This approach did not come about by chance. It is the result of a development that began over ten years ago.
Where we come from
For over thirty years, humedica has been working in Sri Lanka to give children from difficult social backgrounds access to education and better opportunities for the future. One particular building block of this work was the GROW centers: small, safe learning spaces where children received support with reading, writing, arithmetic and English - supplemented by a healthy snack, socio-educational support and close contact with their families.
This work has been valuable and has empowered hundreds of children. But Sri Lanka has changed in recent years - and so have the challenges facing children and young people.
Why we continue to develop
New risks for young people require new forms of support
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the rising cost of living and the pressure on families have created new problem areas. Studies show that drugs are increasingly common among young people - especially in urban areas. Schools report higher levels of stress, more behavioral problems and growing pressure from the media and social networks. In short, children today need more protection than mere tutoring can offer.
Schools as key places for prevention
Unlike in the past, children today spend significantly more time at school - and teachers are often at the forefront when it comes to warning signs. Some see children longer than their own parents. It was therefore obvious that if we want to protect children effectively, we need to start directly at school.
Through GRACE, we can:
- Reach entire classes and year groups
- Empower teachers to recognize risks early on
- Train pupils to become positive role models
- Systematically integrate prevention into everyday life
Sustainable impact through multipliers
While GROW helped individual children, GRACE creates long-term structures:
- Trained teachers
- Peer leaders who pass on knowledge
- School support groups
- Official anchoring in the national drug prevention strategy
What remains?
Even if the GROW centers are not continued in their current form, the central goal remains the same: to give children perspectives.
GRACE continues this mission, but expands it to include what children need today: protection, values, resilience and the ability to make good decisions.
We cordially invite you to join us on this new path. So that children and young people in Sri Lanka can not only learn, but also be protected, strengthened and become self-confident young people.