Case Study

Each year, thousands of Sri Lankans eager to work abroad find themselves trapped and smuggled into other countries. Human trafficking continues to be a main source of violence for many Sri Lankans wishing to move abroad and provide for their family’s needs.

Shantha Gunewardena, founder of All Sri Lanka Jane Setha Sahana Foundation (JSSF), recognises that many people are simply unaware of the tactics traffickers use to lure unsuspecting victims. To help potential migrants from becoming future victims, his organisation leads various awareness campaigns by distributing posters and handouts as well as holding public enactments of how victims are captured.

In addition to the JSSF’s anti-trafficking initiatives, the organisation focuses on the needs of rural Sri Lankans and offers them job training, access to microcredit and workshops on healthcare issues. By implementing an approach that teaches people to care for themselves as well as develop their skill sets, JSSF effectively reduces their need for future aid. With its wide geographic reach, working in 20 of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts, it has helped over half a million people climb over the poverty line which includes direct beneficiaries and their dependents. Shantha hopes to expand into the remaining five districts once the ongoing civil war subsides.

Sri Lankan Volunteers Teach Human Trafficking Prevention

Legatum donated US$56,000 to JSSF in 2006, along with another donor, to increase awareness of how human traffickers capture their victims. Rather than distribute information directly to the public, JSSF organised training workshops for 2,500 volunteers. These volunteers were taught to deliver anti-trafficking workshops, assist victims with support and report trafficking cases to the police. By preparing a coalition of “messengers”, JSSF achieved greater return for its investment by reaching 51,000 families with anti-trafficking information.

Leadership

As a child, Shantha was deeply moved by the plight of the labours working on his family’s estate. Determined to help them, he used his social influence to create one of the largest non-profit foundations in Sri Lanka to support rural villagers.