My name is Thiwanka. I live in Hokandara. We have a playground in our village but my friends and I could not play there because our parents didn’t allow us, as some people used to drink arrack and gamble at the ground.

All the kids in the village and mothers got together and used what we have learned from ADIC to raise awareness about our situation. We went from house to house and talked with all the people. Gradually those people stopped drinking alcohol at our playground. Now my friends and I and all the kids in the village have a playground to play in.

My name is M. M. Rohini. I work in the Kirinda Branch of the Janashakthi Bank. People in my village are involved in the fishing industry, because of that alcohol and tobacco use is very high in our village. There is a myth in our village that alcohol is a must during celebrations. A lot of money is spent on alcohol. I work with ADIC and know the lie behind alcohol and wanted to show this to our people.

When my daughter attained age I wanted to have a party. While planning the party with my husband and son, they said we must serve alcohol at the party or no one will come. I used what I have learned through ADIC to explain to them that there is no connection between alcohol and happiness and that what people do after drinking alcohol is a lie. In the end my husband and son agreed to have the party without alcohol.

My daughter’s party went great! Everyone enjoyed themselves. The next day the whole village was talking about our party. Everyone was very happy. From the money gifted I was able to deposit one lakh in my daughter’s savings account.

Now nobody serves alcohol in celebrations in the Kirinda village. Even if there are men who drink alcohol at home, it’s not served at events. The money that used to go to the alcohol industry from our village is now saved.

My name is Victor. I live in the Ipilwatta village in Thambuttegama (Anuradhapura District). I used to be a heavy alcohol user. Those days I used to have alcohol every day, till I was unconscious. Not only I, my wife and three kids were also affected by my addiction. I fought with my wife a lot because of it and I was not attentive to my kids. My family’s development was stalled. My wife and children were unhappy. My kids’ education was in danger. The fights increased and came to the point that my wife almost left me.

I received support to be free from alcohol. So, I decided to support my community to become free from alcohol. I started using what I had learnt and my experience to have informal group sessions with others who had alcohol problems in my village and to support them to become free from alcohol.

Now I live a happy and fulfilled life with my family, I built my house as well and since stopping alcohol I saved money and spent it for the development of my family and education for children.