From Crisis Relief to Empowering Futures: The Story of Meds for Kids

This journey began during Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in history. The country faced a 16% devaluation of its currency, the rupee, and an inflation rate that soared to an alarming 40% by May 2022. Supermarket shelves were bare, gas lines stretched endlessly, and hospitals struggled to provide even the most basic medicines and surgical supplies. Doctors across the country issued heartfelt, desperate pleas for help.

Sri Lanka relies on imports for approximately 85% of its medical supplies. With foreign currency reserves nearly exhausted, essential drugs and medical equipment became critically scarce, leaving the country’s free national healthcare system—on which millions of people depend—on the brink of collapse.

In response, Meds for Kids sprang into action, partnering directly with organizations in Sri Lanka, such as SAVE A BABY and Friends of Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, and dedicated medical professionals like Dr. Saman Kumara. These partnerships were vital, as these organizations had pre-established infrastructures, enabling them to efficiently distribute supplies and relief to those most in need.

Nearly three years after the crisis, as the immediate emergency subsided, Meds for Kids shifted its focus to sustainable development. Partnering with organizations like The Fluent Factory, they began providing English education to children in rural areas, empowering the next generation. More recently, on January 15, 2025, Meds for Kids worked with Dr. Jithma Ruwini Fonseka, a Consultant Neonatologist at District General Hospital in Nuwara Eliya, to deliver two neonatal monitors for the ICU. This was made possible through the remaining funds in the Meds for Kids account, supplemented by personal contributions from the Board of Directors, and sent directly to the vendor, Medex Holdings.

The funds raised by Meds for Kids were used entirely for their intended purpose, with not a single percentage allocated to operational costs. The burden of operational expenses was borne solely by the Board of Directors, whose unwavering generosity ensured that every dollar donated reached those in need. Donations, minus the small processing fee automatically deducted by Stripe, were transferred to a dedicated account in the United States and then wired directly to the entities where they could make the greatest impact.

This unwavering commitment and transparent approach reflect the heart and soul of Meds for Kids—a mission driven by compassion and a steadfast dedication to making a difference in the lives of those in need.

Meds for Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in The United States.