In Balapitiya, southwest of Sri Lanka, a quiet revolution is unfolding, not with loud protests or grand speeches but through the determined steps of a young girl and a retired teacher. Thiseni Ruhansa de Silva was still a child when she lost her father, a loss that could have easily weighed her down. Instead, she found strength in her mother’s unwavering support and a sense of responsibility toward her community. While most teenagers were focused on school and friends, Thiseni set out on a different path, one that led her door to door, asking neighbors to collect plastic instead of burning it. Despite doing this with good intentions, many dismissed her, and some shut their doors. Biso Manike, a retired teacher with a passion for social work and the mother of Thiseni, was the sole individual who stood by Thiseni’s side. Biso Manike saw Thiseni’s potential for good.
A combination of these two people worked as one, sharing the importance of a clean environment with their community. Despite skepticism, their efforts slowly but surely began to make an impact. Their persistence led to something bigger than they had imagined. The creation of Balapitiya’s first Plastic Collection Facility wasn’t just a place to recycle waste; it became a space where women could reclaim their independence. One woman, once a shop worker traveling miles for a modest income, now works at the facility and runs her own coir rope business.
“I used to spend hours commuting to work. Now, I earn the same close to home, I can manage my house and still have time for myself,” she says, her face lighting up with relief.
The initiative took a significant leap forward with the support of the Negombo Recycling Club (NRC), a Sri Lanka Regional Block Grantee under the PLEASE Project. Through NRC’s BLUECAP project, they provided essential resources, including electric bicycles, a collection hut, and a bale machine, greatly enhancing the facility’s efficiency and impact. These tools didn’t just make waste collection easier; they empowered the women who managed the facility, giving them control over their work and financial stability.
“Supporting initiatives like this is what we need more of. It’s not about resources. It’s about the people, the community stepping up to make a difference,” says a local Environmental Development Officer of Balapitiya Town, whose dedication has also been instrumental in the project’s success.
For Biso Manike, the project is more than just about waste. It’s about dignity. “Helping Thiseni was never a question for me. She had the passion, the drive. I just had to stand beside her. Seeing these women build their futures while making our town cleaner is a feeling I can’t put into words,” she says.
The impact is clear. Women who once had to choose between a livelihood and their families now have both. Awareness about waste management is growing. Change is happening. At the heart of it all, Thiseni remains steadfast, balancing studies for her advanced-level exams with her mission.
“Starting this project wasn’t easy, but with the support of my mother and our community, we’ve built something real. Every plastic bottle we collect is a step toward a cleaner and a sustainable future,” she says, with a steady voice, with purpose.
It all began with a single knock on a door, and now, it’s a powerful movement. The PLEASE Project proudly supports young changemakers, uplifting and inspiring women with bold visions, all united in pursuing plastic-free rivers and seas for South Asia.
