your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Ashleigh
Donor
“Some days, the children go to school without eating breakfast.”
Ajanthini lives in Kilinochchi district in Northern Sri Lanka, with her husband and their two daughters, 15 and 10, both in school. Her husband works as a daily wage labourer, though the work is seasonal and doesn’t come regularly.
The family relies entirely on her husband’s income, with nothing to fall back on when work is short. Ajanthini never saves anything of her own, whatever money that comes in, is spent right away. When it runs out, she would ask others for help; sometimes they give, sometimes they don’t, and it leaves her feeling discouraged.
There are days she couldn’t provide her children with healthy food, and some mornings they go to school without breakfast. She would sit and cry after sending them off, and if they asked why, she would give some other reason rather than the truth.
Beyond this, Ajanthini rarely goes for to any community events, keeping mostly to herself and her family. It’s a hard, isolating way to live.
Despite everything, Ajanthini keeps working to hold her family together and provide for her daughters however she can. She wants steady food on the table, a way to plan for her children’s education, and some security for the days her husband can’t find work.
Please note for many women sharing in written form is not easy. We sit with women to support them to share their story and have added context so you can weave together what you have made possible.
Dear Ashleigh,
How are you? I pray to God for your well-being. My name is Ajanthini. I live in Kilinochchi. I have a husband and two children. My daughter is 16 years old and my other daughter is 11 years old. Both are studying. My husband is a daily wage labourer. We are all living happily. We thank you for the support you provided last year.
Before joining the Palmera Village savings group, I never saved anything. As soon as I got money in my hand, I would spend it all. Later, when I had no money, I would ask others. Sometimes they would give, sometimes they wouldn’t. In those situations, I would feel very sad. My days passed like that.
(At the time we met Ajanthini, her family was struggling with the deep poverty. With yours and Palmera’s support, she found the strength to save her own money and start a business, helping her family recover and rebuild their lives.)
Through this Village Savings Group, I joined, in the beginning, I saved one hundred rupees every week without fail. In the village savings group, there is no President or Secretary. To ensure everyone has a chance to lead and serve, the leadership role rotates weekly, with one person taking responsibility each time. When my turn came, I prepared myself and performed my duties well. Through this, I have now learned to speak with government officials without fear. Also, I would show my savings book to my husband and children. At that time, our family had more unity and happiness. Seeing my savings, my husband praised me. I was very happy.
(Palmera established the village bank in her village to develop financial literacy, a place to save and revolve their savings as loans to reduce their debt from predatory lenders. Through the village bank women come together each week to talk, to share what is going on and support each other. This is the foundation for change because change happens in community and that is exactly what these structures support.)
At the beginning of this year, I bought my children’s necessary school supplies, uniforms, and shoes with my savings money. This is the first time I have ever done this. In addition, during the flood disaster at the end of last year, my husband couldn’t get work continuously. At that time, I was able to use my savings money to buy food and other necessities for the house. Now, I am managing my family well. Furthermore, the need to go to anyone for money has not arisen. So far, I have saved forty-two thousand rupees. I am continuing to save. A confidence has grown in me that such situations won’t arise and that I can be secure.
While I was living like this, through this project, I got a home garden. This project also helped me get involved in chicken rearing. In addition, they gave clear training on how to make a home garden in a specific space, what kind of vegetables to use, and how to cultivate them easily.
(For food security, Palmera supports women to establish home gardens and small poultry farming. This is becoming more challenging with wild monkeys, limited access to seeds, and increasing pests due to changing climate. Because of these challenges, many do not engage in home gardening and poultry. Through your support, we are changing that, helping families grow their own food and earn an income from what they produce.)
In the beginning, I was unable to provide healthy food. Some days, the children went to school without eating breakfast. After sending them to school, I would sit and cry. If they asked anything, I would give some other reason.
But now, I have created a beautiful home garden. There are vegetables and fruits like long beans, brinjal, leafy greens, chilli, cassava, and banana. I am using natural methods like green manure and vermicompost. Now, my family eats enough healthy food. I sell the surplus to nearby shops and houses.
In the beginning, I only had 5 chickens. Through this project, I received help to purchase 25 chickens. Now, I have 23 chickens. We get the eggs needed for my family ourselves. I sell the surplus to the neighbours. Because of this, there is no need to buy from the shop. Now my children and husband eat healthy food. Therefore, the expense of buying vegetables and eggs has been reduced.
Before, my family only had my husband’s income. It was difficult to manage the family expenses with that income. Also, my husband does not get work continuously.
After I joined the village savings group, training was provided to those in our village who were interested in the tailoring trade. I also completed the tailoring training fully. I got a loan of 75,000/- from my Self-Help Group and bought a sewing machine. Now, I stitch clothes for people in my village and the neighbouring village. Through this, I earn an income of 10,000/- to 12,000/- per month. With the income I get, I have bought educational items for my children and necessary equipment for the house. For the New Year, I bought new clothes for my husband with my income.
(Ajanthini previously was not engaged in earning a living income but today through continued mentorship and training she is able to engage economically and this has allowed her income to increase and to meet her basic needs.)
Before, I rarely went to any events that were happening. I used to live just for myself and my family. It was very difficult. But after joining the group, I have many friends. We gather and talk. We talk about our own matters. We interact with each other open-heartedly and happily. We celebrate our birthdays in the group by cutting a cake. We talk and share information about proper market opportunities, vocational training, and so on.
Also, I am very happy to give advice to my Self-Help Group members about my tailoring business. Now, through our Self-Help Group cluster, we are serving the community. We will continue to do so.
In the future, I have planned to increase my income through my tailoring service. My goal is to purchase the fabrics myself, stitch them into garments, and sell them at the district level. Until I reach my goals.
Thank you. Ashleigh, the support you gave was the foundation for our family’s growth and change. I thank you and am happy that you selected my family. All of our family members pray to God that you and your family may live healthily and happily.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
Ajanthini
Our work continues with Ajanthini. She has begun the journey to stand on her own, but lasting change takes time. We will walk alongside her for one more year before letting go of her hand. It is this continued accompaniment that makes all the difference. And this is possible because of you. Thank you.
