This blog was authored by Aruliah Nawakumar, Development Facilitator at Ambagamuwa Area Program.
The World Vision Lanka – Ambagamuwa Area Programs (AP) graduation ceremony was held on Sunday, September 15, at Maskeliya PMD Hall. This was organized by the Ambagamuwa team, for the 75 fathers who successfully completed the 12 MenCare modules developed by World Vision Lanka with the technical support of Equimundo.
The MenCare classes have been led by a selected consultant with the support of the AP team. The classes began in January 2019, in five estate divisions, with five different groups of fathers. Each group consisted of 15 young fathers. After completing the journey of the MenCare modules – which included three residential sessions during which the fathers were home with their families – AP deemed participants as graduated fathers and graduated families.
The AP invited all 75 selected families for the graduation ceremony. Area religious leaders, government officials, officers from partner organizations, and estate management staff all participated in the program as invited guests.
The program started with two cultural welcome dances, with Ambagamuwa AP Manager Mr. Nimal R. Fernando, serving as chief guest for the ceremony.
The selected 75 families were awarded a certificate, a family photo, a logo printed t-shirt, and an oath banner for their homes in order to remember their experience and ensure the sustainability of the project.
Two families shared their life-changing stories as testimony at the ceremony in front of the community members. All the fathers took an oath before the certification in front of area religious and community leaders, committing to being good fathers for their children and good life partners to their wives. The religious leaders, well-wishers and AP partners appreciated this initiative very much.
