UK Registered charity number 1118536. FSF was launched in September 2006, and made its first grants to Sunera in March 2007. 

Sunera Foundation works in Sri Lanka with

• disabled people, especially young people
• people who have been affected by the civil conflict
• people who have been traumatised by their experiences, either
  in the conflict or by the tsunami
• others who are marginalised in Sri Lankan society.

As in many societies across the world, disabled people in Sri Lanka are often regarded with suspicion and sources of shame.  Their families may find it difficult to take them out into their community or even hide them away.  They have few opportunities to find out their own potential or develop their abilities.  Sunera wants to change all of this – to bring disabled people into the heart of their local communities and support them in developing their skills – and so gain dignity, respect and self-respect.

Many of the disabled people who take part were born with impairments or developed them through illness, but many have also been injured because of the fighting in the civil conflict on the island.

The heart of Sunera’s work is in its workshops.  These sessions are held in many locations across the island.  The workshops provide a regular opportunity for disabled and other people to take part in creative activities using music, drama and art.   

Taking part offers the participants many advantages.  They explore what they can do, rather than focusing on what they cannot.  They find new ways of moving, participating and communicating, enjoying the company of others.   This all builds their positive self-image and self-confidence. 

Parents of participants explain find that meeting at the workshop session offers them chances to share their experiences and support one another in caring for their disabled children.

The new skills learned in the workshops are displayed to the community in short performances.   This shows local people that individuals they may have written off as incapable of achieving much in life are able to express ideas and feelings through arts media and can, given the chance, play a part in their community.

Some of these performances have been developed into major shows which have played in Sri Lanka and in other countries, including the UK. 

Sunera Foundation’s slogan is ‘Where there is Art, there is Hope’ and a key part of its aim is to promote greater harmony in a society split by ethnic and cultural divides.  People of all ethnic and religious groups are invited to Sunera workshops – Sinhala, Tamil, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian – all are welcome and the trainers find that when people are focused on a joint activity, they overcome their suspicions and fears of one another, and begin to understand their shared humanity, not just their differences