your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Chandru Mailvaganam
Donor
When we met Jeevarani, her eyes told a story of quiet suffering—a lifetime weighed down by silent storms and heavy hearts. She has three sons: one who has left to start his own life, and two who remain trapped in the endless cycle of addiction, unable or unwilling to help their family. Her husband works tirelessly, but jobs are few and far between, and the small income he brings home disappears too quickly.
Their one acre of land lies untouched, empty soil waiting for seeds that never come, because they simply don’t have the money to farm it. The house around them is worn, and the walls seem to echo the struggles they face daily.
Yet, despite the exhaustion etched deep into her hands and soul, Jeevarani does not give up. She moves from house to house, doing whatever domestic work she can find—scrubbing, cleaning, hoping to feed her family even when there isn’t enough. Some days, the plates are empty, but her heart still holds onto hope.
Each night, she lies awake in the dark, whispering prayers for a kinder tomorrow, for a life where her children can find peace and the chance to dream again.
We’ve captured their voice so you can hear their story.
My name is Gunasekaram Jeevarani. My son, husband, and I live here. There are three members in my family. My family used to live in very hard times. We did not have a job before, and my husband did not have a permanent job. He also did wage work. The wage work is available for a day. There is no work for the next two or three days. So, we find ourselves in a very difficult situation. My son also does not have a proper job. He also wastes his time with some boys. I earned a small income by doing a nanny job with my brother. I cannot expect a big income from it.
(Palmera established a village bank in our community to develop financial literacy—a place where we could save and access loans to reduce our debt from predatory lenders).
I joined the village savings bank in our village. Every Sunday, I save 100 to 200 LKR (approx $1 AUD) every week with the income I have. It was very difficult for our family without a permanent job. I find relief in sharing the pain in my mind with the women in those village groups. Participating in this group is very beneficial for me. Because it is a great comfort for me. It does not matter if I spend my time; it is useful. Every Sunday is a holiday, so I participate in it. Similarly, now I have been selected as a dairy beneficiary by that group. I set up a cow shed (with Palmera support). I have completed it. Now if you give me the cows, I will leave my temporary job and do dairy farming and sell the milk and increase my family’s income. It will be possible to do fruit and vegetable cultivation while staying at home.
The family that helped you is the Chandru Mailvaganam family. What would you like to say to them?
Thank you for helping me with dairy farm. I thank them for choosing us and helping me without knowing my face. We are grateful and pray that this family is greatly blessed for choosing us..
Please note for many beneficiaries sharing in written form is not easy. We sit with these men and women to support them to share their story and have added context so you can weave together what you have made possible.
My name is Jeevarani and I live in the village of Valahavapuram. In my family, there are 05 members: myself, my husband, and our 03 sons. These others are dependent on me. They do not go to work. I earn and provide for them through my own hard work. I will do any small jobs I can find.
There is no permanent job. Because of this, with the income I get from child-rearing work and other jobs, I manage my family’s expenses. We are living according to our family’s means.
(At the time we met Jeevarani, her family was struggling with deep poverty. With yours and Palmera’s support, she found the strength to save her own money and build a livelihood, helping her family recover and rebuild their lives.)
In this situation, I pray to God on behalf of my family for Chandru Mailvaganam and his family, who provided assistance to increase our income.
I learned that Palmera is helping people progress. I was in a state of poverty and hardship. At that time, their staff came to me. They explained the benefits of savings, about the beneficiaries, and its importance. Then I joined their village savings group.
(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, people come together each week to talk, to share what is going on and support each other. This is a foundation for change. Because change happens in community and that is exactly what these structures support.)
I too started my savings with a small amount. After joining the village savings group, I saved 20 rupees, then 50 rupees. So, from the money I earned doing odd jobs, I started saving. My savings grew large. I was continuously active. I acted with self-respect, deciding not to get a loan from the loan group. This avoided the unnecessary situation of having to beg for loans from neighbours. I was happy about this. Furthermore, I increased my savings and had received large savings of up to 55,000/- rupees.
Also, because I have real work experience, I got a loan of 100,000/- rupees from my group and did land clearing and fencing work. Then, I became confident that I could run a small-scale cattle business.
Then, through the organization’s cattle-rearing assistance, I bought a milk-yielding cow. It gave 7L of milk. I am also selling the milk to support my livelihood. Through this, I am earning an income of 35,000 rupees per month. I have progressed in my economic situation.
(The assets Jeevarani has built through the programme -her animals, her cultivation, her skills- belong entirely to her. When Palmera’s support ends, these income sources do not disappear. What she has built continues. This is what sustainable economic independence looks like.)
Furthermore, I am also planning to buy another large milk cow with this project. Because of this, I have increased my savings. Through savings, I have developed my livelihood. From the income that comes from that, I have also helped my neighbours by getting them to join the groups, explaining the benefits, and helping them grow too.
(When a woman who once came for support becomes the person her neighbours seek out for guidance, the programme’s purpose has been fulfilled. Jeevarani is now a resource for her community, extending the reach of what you have made possible.)
Because of my economic change, I stand tall as a role model woman in the village, in the group, and among my neighbours. I am an example of how a woman can progress to be equal to a man. Before, I was someone who didn’t have a single cent. But seeing my progress today, everyone comes and talks to me on their own initiative and tells me about their situations too.
Just like with my own family, I give them advice to improve their families and tell them about the benefits of the organization.
Although the poverty we were in was a great sadness, now that it has left us, I never worry when I think about the future. This is because I am certain that I will carry all my family’s activities forward with my own hard work. I am courageous and happy. I say this with confidence.
My family and I pray to God that Chandru and his family, who were the reason for that great happiness, may live well, prosperously, and happily. We also pray that he and his family who gave this help may live a long life without any sickness or disease. On behalf of my family, I take great pleasure in conveying a thousand thanks to them and their family for providing this assistance.
Thank you.
Jeevarani
This is our final letter from Jeevarani. The programme is complete. And what she has built will not end when our work does. She came to us with no savings, no reliable income, and no clear path forward. She leaves with all three. And with the skills, confidence, and community to keep building what she has started long after this programme ends. Thank you for making all this possible. We couldn’t have done it without your generosity.
