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Resilient adolescent girls

Nirojini is 16 years old and this is her participatory photography story.
Nirojini chose these photographs to share what it means to her to be an adolescent girl growing up in Sri Lanka.

This photo story is part of a two-year ReBUILD funded study which explores the linkages between mental health, psychosocial wellbeing and social norms in the fragile and post-conflict settings of Gaza, Liberia and Sri Lanka. The study focuses on adolescent girls and how these contexts affect girls' vulnerabilities, their coping strategies and the extent to which an understanding of these underpins psychosocial support services and provisions.

All words and photos in this story are by Nirojini and produced through participatory photography workshops run by the ODI in Sri Lanka.

10 photos · 320 views

'My name is Nirojini. I’m from Sandivali.'

'Fishing is the main job in my village, many people are doing this to survive every day.'

'Hospital is the most helpful for people who are ill and who had an accident. It is needed to cure people and therefore essential for our community.'

'I believe we should keep clean the place where we study. It helps to better do your homework.'

'The temple is the most blessed place in our village. Many miracles happened here and that’s why people pray in this temple. Religion is very important in our community and we believe that you shouldn’t stay in the village where there are no temples.'

'The Post Office keeps changing our lives here. It can help you to settle electricity bills, get money orders and send post cards.'

'My sister is the most lovable person for me. Before I do anything I ask her opinion first. She also motivates me in my everyday life. She’s the reason I’m sharing with you this story.'

'Bharatham is the favorite art in my life, but my ambition is to become a drama teacher. Still I like bharatham very much.'

'My father cares for me and after my sister. He is a second most important person in my life. Until now he has never hit me. The reason why he is happy here is that he’s amused by me taking this photo.'

'This butterfly has been flying everywhere with fulfilled happiness. I’d like to be like this butterfly in the future; without any worry, financially independent. That would make me truly happy.'