## Section 4.1: Social Challenges

### Poverty in the Central Highlands

Despite national growth, poverty remains concentrated in the estate sectors and rural districts surrounding Kandy. Here, smallholder farmers face declining yields and many families struggle on less than $3 per day[cite: 569, 571].

Geography and aging infrastructure limit access to nutritious food, clean water, and basic healthcare for these vulnerable communities[cite: 571].

#### What We Are Doing

- Community livelihood programs
- Microfinance for women entrepreneurs
- Sustainable farming training

1,200+

Households reached through livelihood programs [cite: 628]

## Section 4.2: Educational Equity

### Beyond the 92% Literacy

Education is a fundamental right in Sri Lanka, yet the "hidden costs"—transport, digital access, and even paper—have become insurmountable for rural families. Since 2022, over 54% of students have seen their schooling affected by the economic crisis.

!

70% of rural schools lack basic ICT labs or digital connectivity.

!

Rising transport costs force many children to walk over 5km to reach the nearest school.

#### The Student Support Fund

Empowering the next generation in the Kandy district through direct sponsorship.

##### Primary Support

Covers uniforms, shoes, and a daily nutritious mid-day meal.

$15/mo Per Student / Month

##### Secondary Support

Covers stationery, exam fees, and travel costs to regional schools.

$25/mo Per Student / Month

##### Vocational Support

Supports IT training or technical skills for school-leavers.

$40/mo Per Student / Month
Sponsor a Student Today

100% of your donation goes directly to student supplies and fees.

## Section 4.4: Infrastructure

### Building the Backbone of the Highlands

Social change is impossible without physical stability. Our development projects focus on the "last mile" infrastructure that the 2022 economic crisis halted, ensuring no village is left in the dark.

35%

of estate families lack safe drinking water.

#### Clean Water Access

We install gravity-fed water systems and community filtration units to combat water-borne illnesses in the hills.

View Current Projects →
1 in 5

homes face frequent grid instability.

#### Renewable Energy

Solar micro-grids provide reliable lighting for students to study at night and power for local medical clinics.

View Current Projects →
40%

crop loss due to poor transport.

#### Market Connectivity

Small-scale road rehabilitation allows farmers to transport perishables to Kandy markets before they spoil.

View Current Projects →

##### The Sweat Equity Model

We don't just "give" infrastructure. Every project is co-built with the community, who provide labor and local materials, ensuring long-term ownership and maintenance.

Learn About Our Process

## Section 4.3: Ecological Crisis

### The Struggle for Space

As forests in the Central Highlands are converted to farmland, elephants are forced into "pocketed" jungles. Hunger drives them into villages, leading to a tragic cycle of crop raiding and retaliation.

397

Elephant Deaths (2025)

Highest in the world

150+

Human Lives Lost

Annual average

85%

Habitat Loss

Of historical range

#### Smart Coexistence Models

##### Beehive Fencing

Natural deterrent using elephants' fear of bees. Also provides 'Elephant-Friendly' honey income for farmers.

##### Solar Buffers

Community-managed solar electric fences that protect individual village clusters rather than large jungle boundaries.

"We don't need to move the elephants. We need to move our boundaries."

— Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, CCR