Think pink Sri Lanka - women driving for women

Wasantha’s Story

To Wasantha, her pink tuk tuk is nothing short of a miracle, a true "gift from God." As a widow of three years, raising two teenage children alone, she faced a relentless struggle to provide even the basics: three meals a day and the essential education her children deserved. After her husband passed away, life turned into a daily battle of survival.

She took on grueling labor jobs, working under the punishing sun for a pittance. The work was not only exhausting but also uncertain; during the monsoon rains, there was no work at all. Each day was a harsh reminder of the precariousness of their situation.

But now, with the pink tuk tuk, everything has changed. Driving her tuk tuk, Wasantha can finally afford to feed her children properly and pay for their extra lessons. Her daughter, once quiet and reserved, is now affectionately called Rosie by her teachers. Since Wasantha became a driver, Rosie has flourished, blossoming like the rose she's named after. Rosie dreams of becoming a doctor, and with the extra tuition her mother can now afford and the reliable transportation to and from classes, that dream is within reach.

Wasantha’s pride in her shiny new tuk tuk, also named Rosie, is evident in the way she cares for it. Every night, she parks Rosie inside her house, ensuring it stays safe. In the mornings, every morning she can be seen sweeping and polishing Rosie and after blessing her by lighting an incense stick, Wasantha takes children to school, women workers to their jobs and the elderly to hospital appointments, in the rural community,  a 10-kilometer walk to the nearest town used to be a daunting reality.

Mothers tell her that they are happy to send their daughters to school knowing they are safe and can now spend more time working and instead of chaperoning. Thanks to Rosie, the pink tuk tuk, the future shines brightly for Wasantha and her family. She can once again hold her head high, filled with hope and pride for her journey ahead.

Outcomes and Impact: Think Pink's Expansion in Colombo, Sri Lanka 

Think Pink has successfully expanded its operations to Colombo, introducing our pioneering initiative of women drivers. Our initial cohort of three women drivers has been instrumental in providing safe transportation services for women and children, particularly catering to the needs of commuting to work and school.

One notable outcome of our program is the increasing demand for school runs. Our women drivers not only ensure the safe transportation of children to and from school but also go the extra mile by personally delivering children to their teachers and returning them safely to their homes. This added service has garnered significant appreciation from parents and has contributed to the overall trust and reliability of our transportation services.

Moreover, the introduction of after-school hires for teenage girls has had a profound impact on the community. By providing a safe and reliable means of transportation to extracurricular classes, mothers who would typically chaperone their daughters now have the opportunity to allocate this time to work and generate additional income to support their families. This shift in responsibilities has empowered mothers economically while ensuring the safety and well-being of their daughters.

Think Pink's expansion in Colombo has not only facilitated safe transportation but has also fostered socio-economic empowerment within the community, particularly for women and their families. Moving forward, we aim to further amplify these positive outcomes and expand our reach to empower more women and children in Colombo.