About Save a Life
Building healthier communities. Protecting the planet. Empowering people.
A youth-led movement for a healthier, more sustainable Sri Lanka.
Save a Life is a youth-led non-profit organization based in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, dedicated to creating healthier, more resilient, and environmentally sustainable communities. Founded by Rakulan Kandasamy in 2014, the organization was built by a group of passionate young volunteers who believed that collective action could transform lives and strengthen communities.
What began as a volunteer initiative promoting voluntary blood donation has grown into a nationally recognized organization working across climate action, health promotion, child and youth development, gender equality, economic empowerment, peacebuilding, and humanitarian response.
Driven by the principles of volunteerism, innovation, and social responsibility, Save a Life empowers individuals and communities to address today's challenges while building a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Today, Save a Life works with communities, government institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, development partners, and the private sector to design and implement practical, community-driven solutions. Supported by a network of more than 1,500 active volunteers, the organization continues to inspire positive change through community engagement, research, advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships.
Save a Life at a Glance
- Organization
- Save a Life
- Alternative name
- SAVE
- Type
- Youth-led nonprofit organization
- Founded
- 2014
- Founder
- Rakulan Kandasamy
- Location
- Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Our Vision
Towards a Healthy and Eco-centric Future.
We envision a Sri Lanka where every community thrives in harmony with nature - healthy, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Our Mission
To engage youth in building healthier, inclusive, resilient, and equitable communities.
We do this through education, research, humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and climate action - working hand in hand with communities and partners across Sri Lanka.
Our Core Values
Six principles shape every decision, partnership, and programme we deliver.
Compassion
We place people at the heart of everything we do, serving communities with empathy, dignity, and respect while responding to their needs with care and integrity.
Volunteerism
We believe every individual has the power to create positive change. Through volunteerism, we inspire people to contribute their time, knowledge, and skills to strengthen communities and improve lives.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in all our decisions, partnerships, and actions.
Innovation
We embrace creativity, research, and evidence-based approaches to develop practical solutions that address emerging social, environmental, and humanitarian challenges.
Sustainability
We are committed to balancing environmental protection, social inclusion, and economic development to ensure that today's actions create a better future for generations to come.
Inclusion
We promote equality, diversity, and participation, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to contribute, benefit, and thrive regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability, or background.
Main Sectors & Supporting Areas
Climate action and health promotion are our two main sectors. We also support integrated work across youth development, gender equality, economic empowerment, and peacebuilding to create lasting, community-driven change.
Climate Action
We promote ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, sustainable resource management, and community-led environmental action to protect nature while improving livelihoods.
Health Promotion
We improve community well-being through preventive healthcare, voluntary blood donation, nutrition, menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health, health education, and increased access to essential health services.
Child & Youth Development
We empower children and young people through education, leadership development, volunteerism, life skills, and civic participation, enabling them to become active leaders and changemakers.
Gender Equality
We promote equal opportunities, women's leadership, menstrual dignity, and inclusive participation while working to eliminate barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential.
Economic Empowerment
We strengthen livelihoods through entrepreneurship, vocational training, financial literacy, skills development, and sustainable economic opportunities that improve household resilience.
Lasting Peace
We foster peaceful, inclusive communities through human rights promotion, dialogue, reconciliation, democratic participation, and social cohesion.
Emergency & Humanitarian Response
When disasters and emergencies occur, Save a Life responds rapidly by mobilizing volunteers, coordinating humanitarian assistance, and supporting recovery efforts. We work alongside communities and partners to deliver timely relief while strengthening preparedness and resilience for future emergencies.
Sustainable development begins with empowered people and resilient communities.
By combining youth leadership, volunteerism, innovation, and strategic partnerships, Save a Life creates practical solutions that address today's challenges while building opportunities for future generations.
Every programme we implement, every partnership we establish, and every volunteer we inspire contributes to our vision of a healthier, more equitable, and eco-centric future for Sri Lanka.
Be part of the change.
Whether you give time, funding, or expertise, your contribution helps us build healthier communities and a more sustainable Sri Lanka.