Selyn believes in 'teaching people how to fish' and therefore we invest in our members so that they may stand on their own feet. Thinking outside the box, we have established 9 handloom workshops and 5 sewing/handwork workshops in villages in the rural outskirts of the Kurunegala and Batticaloa districts. These workshops are mostly headed by former Selyn members who have been unable to continue work in the main workshop due to various reasons, such as leaving young daughters or grandchildren at home alone or helping their husbands in paddy cultivation - all part and parcel of the life of a rural Sri Lankan woman. This is a successful attempt to move away from a traditional ‘headquarter-based workshop model’ so that rural artisans can work within the comfort of their own villages and homes.  The success of Selyn has been built on its ability to be independent, innovative and sustainable and we strive to empower those within our organization to do the same.

The recently established, Selyn Socio-Economic Development Foundation or “Selyn Foundation”,  takes the vision of founder Sandra Wanduragala, beyond Selyn. The Selyn Foundation is a grassroots effort to relieve poverty and empower Sri Lankan youth and women by means of education, vocational training, credit-provisions and other developmental tools. From where we are looking, the sky is the limit! Find out more at www.selynfoundation.org. 

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.  ~ Howard Thurman

Now you will meet some of those that Selyn has been fortunate enough to meet along the way!