Success Stories of Impact!
When we first met Nipuni Fernando she was a youngster learning life skills at our Rainbow Programme for children and youth with developmental disabilities. Today, she is an empowered young women who recently received a wonderful work opportunity at the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon (DBU). DBU is a historic community based organisation formed in Sri Lanka in the 1900’s to preserve and grow the moral, social, and intellectual well-being of Sri Lanka’s Dutch Burgher community.
27-year-old Nipuni’s journey in the hospitality industry is evidence of her determination and the result of receiving the right support. When we first met her, Nipuni was a shy 14-year-old who had just joined our Rainbow Programme. Over the last 13 years, Nipuni has grown into an accomplished individual, having been awarded the “All-Round Cord” in Girl Guides, an honour equivalent to the President’s Award. She is also a passionate musician and sharpened her vocational skills at our Good Heart Café at the MJF Moratuwa Centre. The Good Heart Café serves delicacies whipped up by our Women’s Development Programme and Empower Culinary & Hospitality School (ECHS). At the Café, Nipuni is a committed and diligent staff member – who is involved in every aspect of the cafe’s operations. From serving customers to arranging displays, this hands-on experience has given Nipuni invaluable exposure to the hospitality industry.
Nipuni’s triumphs are a collective effort of hard work, determination and a strong support system – from her family and the team at the Rainbow Programme. Over the last decade, the Rainbow Programme has empowered over 3,500 children and young people with disabilities in the north, west and east of Sri Lanka to develop their full potential. Their commitment to grooming Nipuni and countless other young people into empowered citizens is truly commendable. They have played a vital role in preparing this remarkable woman for this exciting new chapter.
