“Parents, Please Tell Us What You Think of This Program” : Evaluating the Afterschool Component of a Community-Based Child Protection Network in Panama, Sri Lanka

This research project attempted to evaluate and describe an after-school program in the village of Panama, Sri Lanka through the words of the program staff and of the parents of participating children. After-school programs (ASPs) are increasingly seen as not only a form of childcare, but an arena in which children’s talents and skills may be developed to help them become productive, successful adults. However, most research has been carried out in U.S. programs, and there is little knowledge about how the goals, content, and challenges of ASP work compare to programs in other countries. Through document review, observation, and most importantly through surveys, this research describes the expectations, difficulties, and other observations of staff and parents involved in the Panama village ASP. The staff actively participated in creating and administering two rounds of surveys in the village. Many of the findings echo current literature on the goals, content, and challenges of ASPs. Staff and parents in Panama described their goals for their children’s social and academic skill development, and the challenges they faced with respect to resources, staff training, and accessibility for all eligible children. This leads me to believe that although the vast majority of research available has been carried out in an American context, it is relevant and applicable to this program