EARN A LIVING INCOME

Hi my name is Romia, I am 43 years old and I have three children. My husband left and I am the sole breadwinner. My oldest girl's husband committed suicide and now I am looking after her two children as well. We have no electricity or toilet facilities here and most days we go to bed hungry.

My name is Geetika Damayanthi and I have two children who are both studying – I left my husband after years of abuse and now I have to ensure I can feed the family. Many days I fail to achieve that because I cannot earn enough.

My name is Rasika, I am 38 years old and have two children. My husband is disabled which is what makes earning enough each day a challenge. Right now we also don't have a secure toilet, but we don’t have enough to eat, let alone sort out these critical issues.

My name is Kumari and I have four children. I work in a small shop but that income is not enough – I'm unable to send my children to school and we struggle to eat each day. The situation got worse when my husband left me. Ever since then we have been wondering how we will get through.

My name is Naleema, I am 24 years old with 5 kids. I worked through my pregnancies to put food on the table for everyone when my husband left. I am unable to send all my children to school because of the costs involved. My youngest is two years old, sometimes I can only feed her once a day. Things get harder day by day for me.

My name is Asanthi and I am 39 years old and a mother of three children. My eldest daughter was disabled from birth which means that I have to carry her wherever I go. I am responsible for everyone's needs and each day I struggle to get enough food on the table for everyone.

My name is Sunethra and I have 4 children. My husband left me but I still look after his mother, who lives with me. Where I live is surrounded by jungle – we struggle because of all the wild elephants and finding ways to manage everything and earn enough is a daily struggle.

My name is Podi Menike and I have three children. One of my daughters was badly molested – it is hard to speak about that – but since then she hasn’t been mentally well. My oldest also has high mental illness and my husband is sick. I am unable to afford to send my youngest regularly to school and I must take care of everyone.

My name is Nadeesha and I am 38 years old. When it all became too much my husband left and now I am with my three children each day struggling to put food on the table. One of my children is disabled and when I work I leave her with relatives – I understand it is difficult for them to care for her and the beatings that she then endures is just not fair for her.

My name is Ishara and I am 34 years old. My husband passed away and I know must make sure that my 3 young children can get the education they need. It is hard to find consistent work because I have no one to look after my little one so I try to make bags at home, but with little funds to invest in the business I struggle each day.