Crystal-clear about her aims
Strength in numbers: Krystle and other Enable Lanka volunteers at a project they carried out in Heenatigala
When Krystle Reid entered for the Commonwealth Youth Awards, she little thought it would amount to anything. With 52 other countries on the list “what are the chances” she thought to herself, but did so anyway hoping that it would give publicity to Enable Lanka Foundation- a non-profit organization she co-founded which is geared to empower and promote universal accessibility in Sri Lanka. So when her name was announced as the overall winner on March 15 at the Commonwealth Headquarters, London, the 28-year-old activist was flabbergasted.
Just a week ago, Krystle flew back home with the coveted award. She is not only the second Sri Lankan to be presented the regional award for Asia but is also the first Sri Lankan to win the award for the (overall) Commonwealth Young Person of the Year. It is also the first time that a group supporting persons with disabilities has won the award.
The memory of bearing the Commonwealth flag at Westminster Abbey and meeting other likeminded, innovative young humanitarians is yet to completely settle in Krystle’s memory. But the chance to spread the message of Enable Lanka is at the very core of the award for the humble young business analyst.
Krystle’s passion for volunteer work goes back to the influence of her schooling at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena. Enable Lanka’s roots rewind four years back to a volunteer programme where Krystle met a fellow volunteer Janitha Rukmal. Janitha, a visually impaired IT professional and independent consultant was already involved as a disability rights activist. Krystle too was involved in several other volunteer projects and was drawn by Janitha’s energy and plans to do something for the community at a grass root level. Working together with the assistance and guidance of senior disability rights activists, the impact of their work began to reach more and more people. “People would ask us where we were from,” she explained, which prompted the formalization of their project- now called Enable Lanka Foundation (ELF).
Since then, the duo has expanded into a volunteer group of 12. The small but dynamic work force behind ELF is made up of university students, recent graduates, and other professionals. Their projects such as Enabled Election campaign which was in partnership with the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence and DPOs during the 2015 parliamentary election and LISN Revolution- which empowered visually impaired university students together with Samsung Sri Lanka are just a few.
All smiles: Krystle with her award
At the heart of ELF, “we are always trying to see how technology can be used to empower”. Their innovative and entrepreneurial concepts such as the ongoing “#ComicForCause” is driven by social media and the power of humour and art to educate and include.
Her travels abroad especially to Europe provided an insight into the advanced mechanisms used to create inclusivity and accessibility for the disabled. For Krystle, the motivation to build on ELF was her co-founder Janitha, and his parents who she watched give their son freedom and independence. “Janitha made me open my eyes,” she explained, also the driving force behind her application for the award as well.
While the awards did shine a spotlight on ELF, it also allowed Krystle to meet and learn from other young innovative activists. One such person was the Commonwealth Pacific Young Person of the Year Jacqueline Joseph from Papua New Guinea. Using rugby to change and educate people on gender based inequality and violence; Jacqueline’s initiative may have ignited a new venture for Krystle, Janitha and ELF- adding sports to their mediums of empowerment and development, hopefully in time for the Commonwealth Games.
Seated in her chair, hearing her name announced as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year only kept Krystle glued to her seat. “I thought it was a mistake,” she says and still can’t believe the reality of four years of hard work and dedication on the part of her and her team. Even now, she sees the award as a group victory. “We have a committed team,” she adds moved, attributing ELF’s success to the cluster of likeminded young people with similar values. She held back the tears when she walked up to accept her award, instead speaking to and gathering the support and enthusiasm of many who would extend their own ideas and support after she stepped off the stage.
Co-founder of Enable Lanka- Janitha Rukmal
Meeting Prince Charles: Krystle and other Commonwealth activists are introduced to Prince Charles
For further information on Enable Lanka Foundation contact them on http://www.enablelanka.org https://www.facebook.com/enableSL/, enablelankafoundation@gmail.com or call them on 0772578989