We pursue every child’s right to a loving family.

Our Approach

We care for children by meeting all their basic needs.

We strengthen the family to provide everything a child needs to grow.

We work with community leaders to provide important services for families.

We partner with governments to change systems and develop laws that help children thrive.

It takes systemic change to transform the way we care for children.

Where We Serve

Sri Lanka

South Africa

Moldova

India*

Guatemala

* Where we work through partners.

Mission

We protect childhood so children can reach their full potential. By working with children, families, communities and governments, we ensure families have what they need to help children flourish for generations.

Values

Kindness

We lead with kindness and act with unwavering integrity, guided by our commitment to faith, service, and empathy.

Excellence

We are committed to delivering high-quality outcomes, continually striving for excellence, and making informed decisions based on data and evidence.

Our Team

Connie
Belciug

Executive Director

USA

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Ian
Forber-Pratt

Deputy Executive Director

USA

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Eileen
Neave Purkeypile

Director of Marketing & Development

USA

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Angela
Mahoney

Sponsorship & Communications Coordinator

USA

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Ebenezer Dharshan
Vijayaretnam

National Director

SRI LANKA

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Sohani
Fernando

National Child Protection Consultant

SRI LANKA

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Alina
Grecova

Case Manager

MOLDOVA

Michael
Niroshan
Devarajah

Project Officer

SRI LANKA

Olga
Sofrone

Chief Accountant

MOLDOVA

Thigashan
Sounthrarajah

Chief Accountant

SRI LANKA

Nompumelelo Patience
Zwane

Interim National Director

SOUTH AFRICA

Siphesihle
Khumalo

Program Director

SOUTH AFRICA

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Jesse
Pratheejanan Jeyanthira

Case Manager

SRI LANKA

Natalia
Florea

Case Manager

MOLDOVA

Pavena
Mohanarajah

Communications Officer

SRI LANKA

Valeria
Gaitur

Case Manager

MOLDOVA

Devashish
Mishra

National Child Protection Consultant

INDIA

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Irina
rotaru

National Director

MOLDOVA

Mary Vijitha
Chryshanthan

Case Manager

SRI LANKA

Nolwazi
Mfeka

Administrative & Sponsorship Coordinator

SOUTH AFRICA

Primrose Happiness
Mohlakoane

Case Manager

SOUTH AFRICA

Lilly Gossmann
Montenegro

National Child Protection Consultant

GUATEMALA

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Aliona
Vozan

Case Manager

MOLDOVA

Mathanawathy
Vijayarajah

Case Manager

SRI LANKA

Nomusa Prisca
Sithole

Case Manager

SOUTH AFRICA

Tharniya
Thavendran

Project Assistant

SRI LANKA

IAN FORBER-PRATT

Acting Executive Director

usa

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EILEEN NEAVE PURKEYPILE

Director of Marketing & Development

usa

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JESSICA HALFANT

Sponsorship & Communications Coordinator

usa

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IRINA ROTARU

National Director

moldova

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How We’ve Grown

1999

Our Start

After seeing children on the streets of Moldova, Board Chairman and Founder Kevin Dinnin started Children's Emergency Relief International (CERI) to give all children the opportunity to grow in a loving family. LEARN MORE

1999

2004

A Helping Hand

After a devastating tsunami hit Sri Lanka in 2004, we helped find loving homes for hundreds of children left without parents. LEARN MORE

2004

2009

The HIV Epidemic

The HIV epidemic left millions of children orphaned in South Africa. CERI began a project to provide trauma counseling to orphans and their caregivers. LEARN MORE

2009

2016

Advocating for Children

In 2016, we expanded to India by partnering with government to create laws that keep children safe in families. Today, our work of protecting children continues to expand to other countries. LEARN MORE

2016

2021

Protecting Childhood

In 2021, our focus shifted from preventing orphanhood to a more all-encompassing approach: protecting childhood. When we strengthen and support the family, we help children thrive. LEARN MORE

2021

Celebrate 25 years of changing lives around the world

We pursue every child’s right to a loving family.

Our Approach

It takes systemic change to transform the way we care for children.

Where We Serve

* Where we work through partners.

Mission

We protect childhood so children can reach their full potential. By working with children, families, communities and governments, we ensure families have what they need to help children flourish for generations.

Values

Our Team

Connie Belciug

Ian Forber-Pratt

Eileen Neave Purkeypile

Angela Mahoney

Ebenezer Dharshan Vijayaretnam

Sohani Fernando

Alina Grecova

MichaelNiroshan Devarajah

Olga Sofrone

Thigashan Sounthrarajah

Nompumelelo Patience Zwane

Siphesihle Khumalo

Jesse Pratheejanan Jeyanthira

Natalia Florea

Pavena Mohanarajah

Valeria Gaitur

Devashish Mishra

Irina rotaru

Mary Vijitha Chryshanthan

Nolwazi Mfeka

Primrose Happiness Mohlakoane

Lilly Gossmann Montenegro

Aliona Vozan

Mathanawathy Vijayarajah

Nomusa Prisca Sithole

Tharniya Thavendran

How We’ve Grown

Our Start

A Helping Hand

The HIV Epidemic

Advocating for Children

Protecting Childhood

Childhood is at risk and you can change that.

You helped us go where the need is most. Continue your reach in 2025!

You helped us go where the need is most. Continue your reach in 2025!

Connie
Belciug

Ian
Forber-Pratt

Eileen
Neave Purkeypile

Angela
Mahoney

Ebenezer Dharshan
Vijayaretnam

Sohani
Fernando

Alina
Grecova

Michael
Niroshan
Devarajah

Olga
Sofrone

Thigashan
Sounthrarajah

Nompumelelo Patience
Zwane

Siphesihle
Khumalo

Jesse
Pratheejanan Jeyanthira

Natalia
Florea

Pavena
Mohanarajah

Valeria
Gaitur

Devashish
Mishra

Irina
rotaru

Mary Vijitha
Chryshanthan

Nolwazi
Mfeka

Primrose Happiness
Mohlakoane

Lilly Gossmann
Montenegro

Aliona
Vozan

Mathanawathy
Vijayarajah

Nomusa Prisca
Sithole

Tharniya
Thavendran