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..
