Testimonials

Volunteer Stories from the Legal Aid Commission

H. G. Sandamali – Legal Empowerment Volunteer

Sandamali’s intention was to give legal empowerment to tsunami affected children, elders, and differently–abled people in some communities in the Matara District. She says that she gained valuable exposure within one month by working with diverse groups in the given community, in addition to feeling greatly content through empathically supporting disadvantaged individuals.

She states, “It was very useful to me to know how to work with people. I would like to say it helped me to identify the people who should get help from others… I was able to help people who are differently–abled to the best of my ability.”

Sandamali feels that she has contributed towards the community by raising awareness on rights of elders, land law, importance of participation in elders’ societies, and earning an income. She guided differently–abled persons as a means of informing them of their rights to State benefit schemes.

Hiranthi Galahitiyawa (Sociology student) – Legal Empowerment Volunteer

Hiranthi’s objectives were to help disadvantaged people by assisting them to understand their problems and empowering conflict resolution within one community in the Kandy District. She feels that the exposure gained throughout two months would complement her career path and thinks of volunteerism as an experience that offers contentment and satisfaction, which far exceeds monetary gains.

She says, “Implementation of Legal Empowerment Volunteers’ Scheme will directly benefit volunteers in gaining exciting experience in working with communities. Young volunteers will have a chance to offer a shoulder to cry to people burdened with problems. Experience in working with Government and international organisations will offer better career opportunities in future for the volunteers as well.”

T. V. B. U. Apsara – Legal Empowerment Volunteer

For a period of two months, Apsara conducted a special research on present living conditions of tsunami affected children, consumer protection, gender based empowerment, protection of victims of crimes, empowerment of elders, and land disputes in the Balapitiya area. She says that the exposure gained through community interaction is invaluable and that she was able to practice and apply theory that she has learnt thus far. Apsara feels that the knowledge gathered would be useful for her future professional endeavours.