A New Tide Begins

For most of her life, Roshanthi felt as though opportunities slipped through her fingers, not because she lacked ambition, but because life in her coastal village often pulled her in unexpected directions. So, when she was selected as a Village Health Champion, she felt something shift. It was one of the happiest moments of her life, a moment that opened doors she once thought were closed.

Nawanthurai South is a fishing village located near the sea in Sri Lanka. Her father is a fisherman, and life close to the water has shaped much of her family's daily rhythm. After completing her studies, Roshanthi dreamed of becoming a teacher. Although the teacher training college called for applications in 2015, she could not apply because of a road accident. She also lacked access to clear information or guidance on how to re-apply.

Her next attempt at employment was through a government job. But the day of her interview fell on the day of her wedding. That chance slipped away too, and motherhood soon became her full-time focus. Like her father, her husband is also a fisherman and takes on seasonal masonry work to support the family.

Even with many dreams that life had pushed aside, Roshanthi never stopped looking for ways to grow.

That opportunity came in 2023. Roshanthi was invited to attend a meeting in her village, organized by Diakonia's partner, Save a Life (SAVE). She participated in the "Healthy Lives, Healthy Choices" project, which aims to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and nutritional well-being in the community.

"It was fun learning new things even after becoming a mom. This is topic we usually dont talk about openly even with our parents, but these are so useful.  The way sexual and reproductive rights were taught to us was really easy to understand.  I now know the importance and will teach it to others. We need to change our ways, our thinking and change our practices for a healthier life. " Roshanthi says.

As a Health Champion, Roshanthi not only learned how about menstrual hygiene and nutrition, her desire to learn and teach others was quickly recognized by SAVE and exposed to other trainings as well such as ways to protect the environment. The fishing community she lives in is located close to the sea and is often filled with discarded plastics. Soon after her training, she organised a community clean up along shoreline near the village

As a mother, she was also part of the Mother Support Group formed under the project, to promote safe space for mothers to support each other in an attempt to address early pregnancy and malnutrition in the community.  This space facilitated mothers to come together and discuss concerns while also creating bonds between them. Through sessions that helped unpack long-held beliefs that women are 'unclean' during menstruation, and should not bathe, should avoid certain foods, or attend religious activities and festivals. Through sharing and supporting one another, Roshanthi began openly discussing these myths and taboos, and now, at 36 with two children and seven months pregnant with her third, she reflects:

“I have changed my own practice after the sessions. Now I eat healthy food, keep my energy up, bathe regularly, and attend religious activities. The menstruation cycle is normal. We should not be ashamed of it. I’ve shared this with my daughters, and now they attend SAVE activities too.”

She adds, “Before, we used cloth and disposed of it without thinking how it impacts the environment and our surroundings. Now, because of SAVE's initiatives, schools nearby have incinerators, that allow students to dispose of sanitary napkins safely.”

SAVE’s work also includes facilitating discussions on sharing household responsibilities, and men in the community are invited. Men have always understood that women do the housework and care for the children but never realized the workload. Recognizing the burden women have carried for generations, men have begun taking on more tasks in the household and gradually adjusting their attitudes.  

"My husband doesn't drink anymore and helps me with work at home," Roshanthi says. Her family now eats healthier, and she sees positive changes across the community after SAVE’s   interventions. Children fall sick less often, and waste is now separated and collected regularly by the municipality.

“There is a clear difference now,” she says.

Equipped with new knowledge, Roshanthi took up a temporary teaching position at a school, but with her baby due soon, she is now preparing for the newest member of the family. "It's important that the next generation realizes their full potential and doesn't see being a woman as a reason to step aside, but a reason to rise and step up," she says.

Being selected as a health champion has gained her visibility and recognition among her community, and she is very proud of her accomplishments. She had found her purpose – to educate others. Her children are inspired to become champions in the community one day.