Success Stories
from our programme participants and alumni
Turning Passion into Action
Emerge Lanka Foundation emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Here are our success stories in the words of our survivors.
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In order to protect participant confidentiality, Emerge never shares real names or reveal photos, and instead use the initials of participants' names as a code.
Courage and Resilience
Recognizing the enormity of the challenges our society faces, Emerge Lanka Foundation is dedicated to making a lasting impact through our campaigns and programmes. The "success" that our programmes have the potential to create are immense. Success can mean a programme alumni having the tools to seek mental health care during a tough period - and success can also mean a programme participant understanding the importance of creating goals and targets for her future. Success, is defined by each of our programme participants.
We celebrate every step they take forward; may be be a leap or a hesitant scoot forward.
​DILNI is a determined and courageous young lady. Due to her circumstances, she was not able to complete her O/L exams - but she was eager to do so and did not give up hope. With support from Emerge, she put in the work, prepped for exams and passed. Today, she is working as a nurse at the Ninewells Hospital. She even received a certificate of appreciation for her dedication displayed during the COVID-19 healthcare struggle. DILNI is a survivor who has reclaimed her life and who continues to foster big dreams.
ASARU has suffered a lot of loneliness in her life before and after entering the institutional care system as a survivor. She met Emerge as a program participant, and connected with the team and the Emerge Beads-to-Business program. She was able to express her creativity and emotion in a safe space during workshops. ASARU then fostered a dream of becoming a graphic designer and after leaving the care system; she enrolled herself in a course and pursued the dream. ASARU has built a life for herself that is full of life and support.
When the programme participants were asked to speak about what self-esteem was and how to maintain self-esteem, SENO was not as interactive as the other days and mentioned that she didn't have self-esteem. But, when our trainers taught more about the concept and to value their skills, SENO felt more at ease and shared ideas more freely and confidently.
ASARU has suffered a lot of loneliness in her life before and after entering the institutional care system as a survivor. She met Emerge as a program participant, and connected with the team and the Emerge Beads-to-Business program. She was able to express her creativity and emotion in a safe space during workshops. ASARU then fostered a dream of becoming a graphic designer and after leaving the care system; she enrolled herself in a course and pursued the dream. ASARU has built a life for herself that is full of life and support.
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.
GHL and WKMDS are both participants of the 8th Batch of the Centre. Coming in with the dream of becoming nurses, both ladies held on to their dream and never gave up. They were able to pass their interviews at the Ninewells and start work as Consultation Assistants. Helping them to get a little closer to their dream, Emerge still assists them at any given opportunity.
