Stories From Emerge

UGLWAR met us through the shelter and moved onto become a part of the Centre as well. She followed a nursing course, which granted her access to work at the Nawaloka Hospital for a year, after which she got married and moved on to work as a creations facilitator at the Emerge Centre. Made by herself during the Emerge programs at one point of her life, she trained the girls who came to the Centre to design these pieces of jewellery, and overcome their difficulties through the therapeutic process.

MV is an example of hard work and genuine interest in building a strong life for herself. There was a time that we, to be honest, were very surprised to learn that she walked all the way from her boarding to her workplace during her first job, because she was being paid sparsely and she wanted to save. But, never once did she bring this up. Instead she kept going and going, until she decided it was time to move on, setting an important lesson to life nothing is impossible without hard work and commitment.

NL started work at the MAS Panadura, and currently works at the MAS Katunayake. She has been a committed individual, and a determined employee. Even within her personal life, Nadeeka has been able to maintain well-formed and healthy relationships

- a core component of the Emerge curriculum. Her bonds and professional boundaries are well bred, and mature. She is doing wonders at her workplace and is bound for great things, yet to
happen!

RS came to the shelter when she was 11 years old, but 8 months pregnant. When she realised she was pregnant, her mother left her and went to Saudi Arabia. She didn’t attend school, but stayed at home to look after her step siblings. RS was a very creative jewellery maker, who was an asset to our program. RS is happily married and has 2 babies now. Her oldest son is in an orphanage now, but she hopes to bring her son home soon. RS built her house with the savings she received from Emerge. She received funds from the Nona Foundation to build a small shop by the side of her house. She sold sweetmeats she made at home and had groceries in her shop. RS's husband in a Mason and he takes in contracts, he looks after his family well too.

APIL was one of the very first participants of the Emerge B2B program. APIL became a teenage mother at the very tender age of 16. With years to come, she is now married with 2 children. Emerge helped Apil set up a business to sew tote bags for the Emerge jewellery, while also not forgetting to put her skills at jewellery making to good use.

This is how APIL spoke about Emerge: "I have no words to express what Emerge means to me. When we were sad and alone in the shelter, it was only Emerge that I felt close to and it was only because of Emerge that I could keep happiness within my heart. I instantly felt close to Nirukshi Miss, although there were several programs other than the Emerge bead program run by other people. It was the bead program that helped me through, when I felt trapped and lonely in the shelter. Emerge has helped me so much even after I left the shelter. I am so thankful to Emerge. Emerge keeps helping me to this day. My husband also agrees that Emerge is a special place with special people."