Patients are generally recommended by doctors at Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama. On completion of a laid down screening procedure, patients who qualify for assistance are placed on the waiting list.
They will then wait to be linked to sponsors and will be notified when sponsorships are available. Every patient is required to nominate a non-related person who meets CandleAid’s stipulated criteria to act as his or her coordinator. The coordinator is required to ensure the proper end use of sponsorship funds and also that CandleAid is kept informed of any important changes in the clinical or personal status of the patient.
CandleAid will disburse LKR 2,000 to the coordinator every month. The coordinator is required to purchase a supplement of medicinal and nutritional items based on the recommendation of the doctor.
Two months prior to the expiry of the one year sponsorship, CandleAid will send a patient status report to each sponsor and also a notice to ascertain whether they wish to continue their sponsorship beyond the first year.
It is with joy that we record that Clarendon Foundation, also known as FRIENDS (Fund Raising Involvement and Efforts for the Needs of the Disadvantaged in Sri Lanka) in the US have granted 100 sponsorships mainly to children. Another group of Sri Lankans living overseas, also known as ‘FRIENDS” and many individuals continue to give a number of sponsorships under this programme.