Sasini’s Story: A New Beginning
When we met Sasini, she was just 21. Her father had left, and her mother was trying to care for four children alone. Life was very hard. Her mother fell into a deep sadness, unable to keep going.
So Sasini stepped in. She needed to find money to feed her siblings and take care of her sick mother. One day, someone offered her work at a spa. She didn’t know what else to do. She said yes. That one yes turned into her only option.
Her mother doesn’t know. Sasini tells her she works different jobs. And with her mother’s health, she can’t ask too many questions.
Sasini didn’t choose this life because she wanted to. She chose it because she was desperate. But now, through this program, she has a real chance to leave the sex industry behind—and start again.
Helping Women Like Sasini Leave the Sex Industry
We don’t know the exact number of women working in the sex industry, but it could be over 45,000. After COVID and the economic crisis, that number has grown. Many women join this work because they are hungry, their families are hungry, and they see no other way.
In 2021, the largest-ever study on sex workers in Sri Lanka was done. Here’s what it showed:
- Most women became sex workers because of poverty.
- 70% face violence every year.
- Nearly 84% are mothers.
- Many were pushed into this work by their own families.
- Even though sex work is not illegal, many are still arrested.
- Many are treated badly at hospitals and don’t get regular health check-ups.
These women are not just workers. They are mothers. Daughters. Sisters. They want a better life.
Our Program : A Real Path Out
We’ve used a model called Graduating the Poor to help some of the poorest families in Sri Lanka build a new future. It works. In one area, 75% of families left poverty behind.
Now, we’ve taken this same model and made it stronger—to help women in the sex industry build new lives.
Here’s how it works:
- It’s a 2-year program.
- It helps the whole family, not just the woman.
- It starts with a Family Plan—to care for the children, fix family problems, give support and protection, and build something new.
- It focuses on building income through sustainable livelihoods
This is not a quick fix. It’s a real journey. And with your help, women like Sasini can take the first step.
Be Part of the Change
No woman should feel that selling her body is the only way to survive.
Every dollar helps a woman take a step away from the sex industry— and toward a life of safety, choice, and freedom.
For women like Rathi, this program is the first step toward a brighter future. It’s not just about loans—it’s about creating systems that allow the poorest families to rise with dignity and strength.
Be part of the change.
Donate today.