This evaluation of the Terre des hommes Foundation (Lausanne) two year post-tsunami psychosocial project in Sri Lanka was done by the Centre for Humanitarian Psychology, between 2005 and 2006. The quantitative study shows the positive impact of recreational activities on thousands of children registered during that period.
It took place in 18 of the 25 recreation centres run by Terre des hommes, in the areas of Batticaloa and the coastal region of Kalmunai by Terre des hommes.The concepts of well-being and resilience were taken as measuring yards to analyse the results of two field-based surveys. The evaluation highlights the complex effects of risk and protective factors on the improvement of the children's condition and their environment.
This evidence-based study showed how Terre des hommes' recreation centres helped the children in a very positive way, mainly through applying the best practices recognized by the international community as a basis for any psychosocial programme: community empowerment, capacity building and respect of the local culture.
[Abstract adapted from the author]
Activity