Lasting change happens one step at a time
Vision for the children of Sri Lanka
Twenty years ago, Dilanee Bunter watched the devastation of the Asian Tsunami and :
"Felt a sense of duty to help the people of Sri Lanka, the land of her birth, rebuild and recover from this tragedy."
Her words sparked the establishment of Ocean Stars. Today the vision and dreams have grown but the charity continues.
The world has changed since 2004. Hundreds of children's lives have improved, dreams are being realised and communities much better off. But many people are still trapped by inequality and discrimination. Challenges like conflict, inflation, climate change, etc., continue to threaten the progress made. Each year different approaches are required to continue to survive.
Our Vision is clear
A Sri Lanka where every child has equal opportunities.
Our Mission is not changing
To identify and overcome barriers to equal opportunities for children in Sri Lanka through education and social enrichment, sharing friendship, hope and joy.
What does change? How we deliver
At the heart of our work are the children most at risk; those who face discrimination, inequality, famine, malnutrition and lack of opportunity. We are proud of our work to date, on how we have delivered projects to support the most vulnerable children and communities.
There is much more to do to embed these projects into daily life and ensure lasting change. We will continue to listen to what children, families and communities need and change our priorities and decisions to support them.
Collaboration, and not competition, will be our default. And we will influence and challenge those in power, driven by the needs and voices of children. We know that true, lasting change can only happen if we work together, sharing power and resources to build a more just and equal world.
OUR OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2024 - 2030
Strategy and activities are not static and need to be validated and amended depending on the economic situation, budgetary restrictions and needs of the communities. Click here for our 2024-2030 detailed document.
How We Create Impact
Our aim is always to achieve a direct outcome that benefits the children.
To make our vision for children a reality, we will build the power children hold to influence decisions that affect their lives, tackle the biggest problems children face, and advance the rights of children and future generations most at risk of crisis, discrimination and inequality.
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE OUTLINES OUR IMPACTS:
"Be the change you want to see"
Mahatma Gandhi
We want to see permanent change so we will move from tackling the immediate effects of injustice and inequality towards addressing the root causes, for a more sustainable future.
We will do this by working with partners, providing education for children, shifting power to communities, and championing local leadership.
We know there are many complex problems facing children – from lack of nutrition and lack of funds to conflict - demanding urgent solutions.
As Francis of Assisi said, "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Just as Ocean Stars have done, first it was necessary to support the communities etc., after the trauma of the Tsunami. Moving on to establishing preschools and employing and training teachers. We are now growing our help and our footprint in preschool education.
So, let's get started in changing more lives for the better.
