your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Vipushi and Amsi
Donor
“I’m choosing to do what I do, out of desperation, not out of want.”
Hemalatha, 60, lives in a rented home in Colombo. She has raised her daughter alone since her husband left when the girl was 3.
She also cares for her sister, who has a mental health condition. With no support and the full weight of caring for her family resting on her alone, Hemalatha turned to sex work out of desperation, just to survive. She didn’t want to, but had no choice.
She did what she needed to, to bring up her daughter. Even after Hemalatha raised her daughter and saw her safely married, the hardship did not ease. Her daughter’s husband turned out to be a drug addict, and her grandson was later diagnosed with mental health issues of his own. Unable to bear it any longer, her daughter divorced him and moved back in with Hemalatha, bringing her young son with her. Hemalatha found herself responsible for her daughter, her grandson, and her sister all over again, carrying the weight of it alone.
Despite everything, Hemalatha kept holding her family together through one hardship after another. She wanted stability for her daughter and grandson, proper care for her sister, and a way to provide for all of them that did not depend on sex work.
That is what she wants more than anything today. To look after her family by gaining an income in a way that brings her joy and safety.
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 Vipushi and Amsi,
My name is Hemalatha. I live in Gampaha and I have a daughter. My husband left me and our daughter was three and went away. My sister lives with me too. She sufferers from a mental condition. I live in a rented house. After my husband left us, I am raising my child by myself, facing many hardships to survive. I have to look after my sister too. Out of desperation I became a sex trade worker.
I somehow managed to bring my daughter up. I made sure she completed school. When she was the right age, I arranged a marriage for her. She is married now. I thought that my problems would reduce then. But my daughters husband was not a good man. He ended up being a drug addict. But he was a successful businessman. My daughter has a son. But he too was diagnosed with mental issues. Then my daughters married life became worse. Then my daughter couldn’t bear it anymore. She divorced him and came to live with me. Now I look after her and my son. I was again pulled down with so many worries and struggles. My daughter’s child was used to growing up in comfort. All this weighed heavy on me.
(At the time we met Hemalatha, her family was struggling with the deep poverty and loneliness following her husband leaving them. 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.)
It was during this period that I came into contact with the Palmera project. One of the ladies of the program staff spoke with me and I shared everything with her. She gave me hope that I could build a different life and find a steady income. I was given support to leave sex work, where if there are no customers, you don’t eat. I received encouragement to begin a small business instead.
First my grandson received school supplies and I received training to run a small business of my own They shared funds for equipment and starting materials for a sewing business with me. They also bought me sewing machines to complete orders. And because I knew how to stitch, I started stitching clothes or women and children. I found suppliers who sell material for cheap. And I worked hard and developed my business to what it is today.
(Hemalatha 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.)
I found orders for renting clothes. And I completed each order successfully. Because of that my income grew. Now I earn approximately Rs. 3,000 a day, and around Rs. 90,000 a month. From this income, I am able to look after all household needs. My daughter, my grandson, my sister and I now eat well and live together peacefully, without daily worry. I am able to pay the rent, cover all our necessities and still save around Rs. 2,000 a month.
Day by day, I am working to grow my income further. I look for places where I can purchase materials for cheap, increase the amount of clothes I stitch, and I want to try and start selling my clothes in a few different shops in the future.
Today, I want to say, this life I now live is because of Vipushi and Amsi. If not for you, I would still be in the same place I was before. There was a time when I never imagined this kind of life was possible for me. Through your support, everything has changed. I don’t have adequate words to thank Vipushi and Amsi Miss enough for giving me this opportunity and this life.
For giving me strength and purpose to achieve goals and for offering me a beautiful future, I think you both.
Hemalatha
Our work continues with Hemalatha. 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.
