A holistic initiative strengthening community support for elders through medical camps, livelihood grants (Rs. 1.3M distributed), rights advocacy, and intergenerational youth programmes.
The Sponsor a Grandparent (SaG) Programme is one of HelpAge Sri Lanka’s most meaningful initiatives, designed to uplift older people by ensuring they live with dignity, better health, and community support. The programme operates on a holistic model that brings essential services directly to villages.
Key Impacts:
Healthcare: The Mobile Medical Units (MMU) benefited 10,750 elders this year, providing 3,769 eye screenings, 3,251 medical screenings, and identifying 913 cataract cases.
Economic Support: Since Dec 2022, livelihood initiatives have empowered 112 beneficiaries (including elders with disabilities) with microloans totaling Rs. 1,325,000 to start businesses like pottery, gardening, and sweet making.
Capacity Building: The programme trains Home Care Volunteers and school educators (via YEP) to build a society that respects and cares for its aging population.
FY 2023/2024
Raises funds through corporate CSR budgets, 'Share As You Earn' (SAYE) staff contributions, and Dialog Star Points to finance medical camps and surgeries.
2025-01-15
Low-interest loans to support small businesses.
2025-03-01
Emergency relief during natural disasters.
2025-02-10
Building community leadership capacity.
2025-01-05
Continuous staff skill enhancement.