Enhancing parenting skills with mobile phones in Sri Lanka

SOS Children’s Village Sri Lanka is empowering women through mobile technology.

Mobile for Development is a pilot project that uses SMS Quicklearns, a mobile messaging service, to enhance parenting skills.

The project began last November with 150 mothers in two areas of Sri Lanka – Peraliya and Gandhara – that were devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

The project aims to empower women in child rights, health and hygiene and financial management through mobile technology. It also offers women the opportunity develop their skills, behaviour and attitude. 

The duration of the program is six-months with three sessions of face-to-face training and daily text messages for 180 days. Each week, the mothers meet to discussion the messages.

The content and technical support is provided by MobilTrain, but the topics are prioritised by the mothers.

The mobile messages range from questions on parenting to daily activities on how to improve family dynamics.

Focus group leaders, project coordinators and the service provider have been closely monitoring the women’s progress. Among other positive changes, the women are better understanding of the emotional needs of their children.

SOS plans to extend Mobile for Development’s duration from six-months to one year and expand the program to more locations.

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.