CandleAid assists low-income families by supporting them under its Food Programme, giving them a monthly subsistence of LKR 4,000 by enrolling them in the GAM program. At any given time, we have about 200 such families. If there are 4 people in each family, it means we are assisting 800 people. You may be one of our current sponsors or you may be a potential sponsor who is browsing this page. We are confident that you will be happy to be associated with this programme.
Selections of beneficiaries for a sponsorship
Recipients are selected with careful consideration through a laid down procedure to determine their eligibility for assistance irrespective of race or religion. After assessing their financial circumstances preference is given to families with children. The selected family will be monitored by a Coordinator who has the responsibility to keep CandleAid informed of any changes of circumstances of the family.
The family also will submit an initial letter of thanks and acknowledgement to the sponsor once enrolled. Further the family will write at least once a year to the sponsor giving an update of their status. The sponsor can contact the recipient family by phone or surface mail or visit the family if desired.
Two months before the sponsorship expires CandleAid will write to the sponsor seeking his/her intention regarding the continuation of the sponsorship. The overview gives more fuller information.
Sponsorship terms
Minimum period of sponsorship is one year, and the sponsor has the discretion to renew thereafter. If there is any impediment to do so, the sponsor will give CandleAid at least a month’s notice so that we could find a new sponsor for the family.
The total annual commitment is LKR 52,800 which includes an administrative fee of 10%.
Stories of some selected families
Mrs Gunaseelan Jeyasaritha – Kayts, Jaffna District
Mrs. Jeyasaritha is a widowed mother of three daughters living in Naranthanai South, Jaffna. Her husband passed away in April 2020, leaving the family in a very difficult situation. She currently works as a casual labourer on an estate, working about three to four days a week, and earns approximately LKR 1,500 per day. In addition, the family receives LKR 17,500 per month through the government’s Aswesuma assistance program.
Her eldest daughter completed her G.C.E. Advanced Level examination in 2023. Due to financial difficulties, she was unable to continue her higher studies and is now working in a textile shop, earning LKR 20,000 per month. The two younger daughters are currently studying in Grades 09 and 07.
Mrs. Jeyasaritha is also receiving medication for high blood pressure. Despite many challenges, she continues to work hard to support her children and strives to provide them with a better future.
Mrs H G Sumali – Habarana, Anuradhapura District
Sumali is a mother of two school-going children. Her husband met with a serious accident while driving a safari jeep in October 2021, resulting in severe head injuries that required surgical intervention. Following the accident, he suffered paralysis on the right side of his body and now requires ongoing medical care, including monthly clinic visits at the General Hospital, Polonnaruwa.
Due to her husband’s condition, Sumali is unable to engage in employment, as she must provide full-time care for him. Her daughter is currently studying in Grade 10, and her son is in Grade 05.
Although her husband’s friends and relatives offer occasional financial and material support, this assistance is insufficient to meet the family’s daily living expenses and the educational needs of the children.
The situation is pathetic with hardly an answer in sight. CandleAid has them in the Gift-A-Meal program and are looking for ways to help them more.
There are too many families suffering from hunger in Sri Lanka. Sadly, most affected are the children. We are simply trying to do what we can at least to feed some of the hungry.
Statistics as at 31st December 2025
No. of families enrolled since inception - 887
No. of current families - 132
No. of current Sponsors - 85
No. of current Coordinators – 111
With land allocated to her under a government housing project in 2017, Ramya, through sheer determination, managed to construct a modest house. However, it remained unsafe and incomplete without proper doors and windows. Since October 2022, CandleAid Lanka has supported Ramya’s family with the help of kind sponsors.
Recently, a generous donor stepped forward to fund the installation of doors and windows, ensuring the family’s safety and dignity. The transformation seen in the photographs reflects what your generosity can achieve. Thank you for helping create a safer future for Ramya and her children.
