Some weeks ago I came across this article on domestic violence written by Roel Raymond which was published in an edited version on Groundviews. She spoke of her former life with a husband who use to beat her and subject her to many forms of domestic violence while she endured it with her son. I do not know her personally, but have seen her at certain events, a beautiful woman with her son and it …

When we began consulting in 2009, we had little idea of what Grassrooted would evolve into – we knew that HIV would remain our focus always, but that we had to include a broader Sexual and Reproductive Health approach, including Rights, if  we were to have any impact in Sri Lanka, with its low HIV prevalence and near invisible community.
Our consulting business model was simple: work for those who can afford to pay us, and …

Nota Bene – This is a sad article that once more underscores how primitive notions of morality continue to impact our world. What you read below could be Sri Lanka, except that we don’t really like admitting to the existence of sex work. May the gods in your head bless you.
Gaylord Grasshopper
Confiscating Condoms? The Dumbfounding Ways Police Deal With Prostitution
Each year, scores of new laws are proposed to make prostitution somehow even more illegal than …

Yes, sometimes I wanted to run back home but that was an experience I would never have got unless I decided to go on this trip with the Grassrooted team. I experienced real India. It was hard and very different. It was completely different from usual study  tours  we went, had fun, stayed in good hotels, had workshops or trainings inside conference rooms, had meals from the buffet and went  shopping in the evenings. This …

Staff – client gathering was an unforgettable experience. Everybody got together, sang, danced, ate and enjoyed themselves. Kids performed in front of their guardians; this is when Maya showed me tears in Hans’ eyes. Hans told me that there were so many new faces, showing the success of the Prevention and Care and Support Programs. Their HIV Prevention Programs direct people to testing and if they tested positive they will be directed to Care …

Hans was looking for a beer from the minute we checked in, Kapila was so excited about his first air port experience, Amila was taking care of Kapila as he always does, Sarah was on the phone with her boy friend, Thushi was dreaming about the Delhi wala and wondering whether this story will have a happy ending, and I was thinking what trip this was gonna be; later you will know!
Kapila, Amila, Thushi, …