Sri Lankan non-profit · Est. 2019
Supplementing Education for Well-being and Growth
We equip adolescents with the social, emotional and practical life skills they need to thrive at school, at work and in life.
5,000
children to empower in
the next five years
10
active SELFIE partner schools in Colombo
30 hrs
of weekly in-school sessions per cohort
250
students trained through Debate Mate
8
dedicated, specially trained facilitators
SEL component
FIE Track
Who we are
Learn for Life Lanka
Learn for Life Lanka is a Sri Lankan non-profit organization dedicated to empowering adolescents through thoughtfully designed life skills development programs. Our approach is twofold.
First, we offer a comprehensive Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) component that helps young people develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and interpersonal skills essential for academic success and social well-being. Complementing this is our FIE Track, focusing on Financial Literacy, Industry Awareness, Ethics, and Employability, through which students gain essential financial knowledge, explore career pathways, and engage with ethical decision making, while providing exposure and creating awareness of opportunities within Sri Lanka's corporate and social sectors.
Through this integrated model, we aim to nurture confident, informed, and socially responsible youth.
Our Mission
At Learn for Life Lanka, our mission is to empower 5,000 children within the next five years by equipping them with essential life skills. Through strategic partnerships, comprehensive training programs, and interventions designed to inspire, we aim to bridge the gap between education and social and emotional skills needed for tomorrow's challenges. Our journey is dedicated to making a significant impact on the lives of adolescents in marginalized communities, ensuring that they are prepared to thrive in various aspects of life and industry.
Our Vision
At Learn for Life Lanka, our vision is to become the most respected catalyst and provider of 21st-century life skills for adolescents in Sri Lanka. We aim to empower these young individuals to flourish both at school and in life, by equipping them with the essential skills they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
What we teach
Our Framework: SELFIE
Eleven practical modules across two focus areas.
S
Social
E
Emotional
L
Learning
F
Financial Literacy
I
Industry
E
Ethics & Employability
● SEL Focus: Social, Emotional, Learning
Growth Mindset
Turning challenges into growth opportunities.
Learning How to Learn
Making learning meaningful and goal-driven.
Gratitude
Fostering joy through appreciation.
Positive Communication
Creating inclusive, respectful communities.
Positive Relationships
Nurturing meaningful, supportive and healthy connections.
Meaning and Purpose
Cultivating a sense of direction by aligning actions with personal values and goals.
Leading Without a Title
Inspiring leadership at every level.
Emotional Regulation
Managing emotions with confidence and care
● FIE Focus: Financial Literacy, Industry, Ethics & Employability
Financial Literacy
Making informed and confident money choices.
Industry
Exploring careers through real-world connections.
Ethics & Employability
Doing the right thing in the working world.
Behind Our Mission
What Motivates Us
We strongly believe that Sri Lankan children should be equipped with the skills and mindset that would enable them to flourish in school and in life.
However, because there are huge disparities in the education offered at urban and rural schools and a curriculum that does not meet the needs of the modern workplace, there are high dropout rates at schools, and discontentment amongst the youth.
Students also struggle with issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, bullying and violence - issues that often go unvoiced, and therefore prevent them from living up to the best versions of themselves.
39% of students have reported being bullied at least once in the past 30 days 44% of students aged 13-17 were involved in a fight at least once in the last 12 months.
80.4% of students in a study conducted in 2017 had experienced corporal punishment at least once in the previous term at school.
The Need
Why we care
What recent research tells us about the well-being of adolescents in Sri Lanka.
40.3%
of Sri Lankan adolescents experience mental health issues, against a global average of 10–20%
37.8%
of adolescents reported being bullied
22%
of students felt isolated in the past year
40.2%
felt their parents or guardians rarely understood their problems
2024 Global School-Based Student Health Survey
- 18% of students struggle with mental health
- 7.5% of students reported having no close friends
- 15.4% seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months (13.6% of boys, 17.1% of girls)
- 9.1% attempted suicide at least once in the past year
- 22.9% said their parents rarely knew how they spent their free time
- 88.1% did not meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily
Adolescent mental health in Sri Lanka
- Loneliness 30.8% · Anxiety 20.2% · Suicidal ideation 3.7%
- Mental health problems were more prevalent among female adolescents
- 43.6% engaged in physical fights, linked to increased mental health issues
- Adolescents with strong parental support and close friendships were less likely to experience mental health problems
- Regular physical activity reduced the likelihood of suicidal ideation
If you or someone you know needs support, call the National Mental Health Helpline: [HELPLINE NUMBER]
Our Response
How will SELFIE help?
SEL · Social, Emotional, Learning
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) encourages the holistic development of young people. Research has consistently shown that individuals with strong social and emotional skills are better equipped to navigate everyday challenges and perform better academically, socially, and professionally. Schools that have adopted SEL programs have seen improvements in students' academic performance, better attitudes, a reduction in bullying, and lower dropout rates. SEL helps students develop healthy relationships, empathy for people from diverse backgrounds, and emotional resilience—skills that are vital in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society with diverse socio-economic conditions.
FIE · Financial Literacy, Industry, Ethics & Employability
Through the FIE (Financial Literacy, Industry Awareness, Ethics and Employability) track, students are first equipped with financial literacy skills, empowering them to make informed decisions about money and their futures. The FIE track also promotes career exploration, workplace readiness, and ethical decision-making, helping students navigate potential career paths. By providing exposure to corporate and social sector organizations, the program broadens students' understanding of the professional world and the skills needed to thrive in it.
Moments
Life in our classrooms
Weekly Sessions
Graduation
In Classroom
Teacher Training
Interested in partnering, volunteering, or working with us?
Get in touch! We're always open to new connections!
Say Hello!!
