your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Kumaran Jeyapalan
Donor
When we met Jeyamanokari and her children, the weight of loss and struggle was written on their faces. A mother of four, she had already faced the deepest sorrow, the death of her husband to cancer and now carried the responsibility of raising her children alone.
Her own health makes every day a challenge. Both her feet burn and ache painfully, leaving her unable to work like she once could. Despite this, she continues to find ways to provide for her children, determined to keep them fed and in school.
With two acres of land, she does what she can. During the rainy season, she plants a small garden to grow vegetables and other crops, hoping to meet the family’s basic needs. But without a motor for water during the dry months, much of the land lies unused, and her potential to generate a steady income remains limited.
Jeyamanokari has over 20 years of experience in gardening, and with the right tools, a motor, delivery pipes, and support to utilize her land fully. She could transform her garden into a source of sustainable income. Even in the face of hardship, her eyes carry a quiet determination, a mother’s fierce hope that her children will have a better life than she has known.
We’ve captured their voice so you can hear their story.
My name is Jaya Jeyamanokari. My husband died of cancer five years ago. After his death, things became really hard for me. I had four daughters so it became very difficult for me to take care of my four daughters. Due to my poverty, I needed a lot of help. At that time Palmera helped me, and through that I started getting involved more in fruit and vegetable cultivation and I started coming up and growing with that.
It was very difficult to meet the educational needs of my children. It was also difficult to meet the food needs. We were very poor. Because of this, it was even hard to eat three meals.
I am a member of a village self-help group. The Palmera team joined me in this group. From there, I took a loan. I am doing savings. I took a loan and met my needs. Now, after taking many trainings (through Palmera), I am raising children as a woman entrepreneur.
(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)
Palmera reviewed what I was doing and granted me a motor pipe so I could use it to develop my fruit and vegetable cultivation. I do poultry farming – I also grow groundnuts and I also grow small grains. Initially, I worked alone. Now my children are also helping me. I share the things that are happening in my self help group and from the self help group I share what I learn there with my children when I come home. Because of this, my children’s behaviors have also changed.
From my fruit and vegetable cultivation, last season I grew cassava and got a profit of 50,000 rupees from it. I used that for the education of my children, my medical expenses and my food needs.
Now I have an income of my own through which we eat three meals a day without difficulty.
We are very happy, and I wish to bring the children to a good situation in the future and expand my fruit and vegetable cultivation.
Mother, the family named Kumaran Jeyapalan has helped you. Do you want to say anything to them?
You live so far from us, but from afar you helped us. Because of this I pray that you and your family have God’s blessing. Thank you so much.
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 Jeyamanohari. I live in the village of Theravil. There are five members in my family. My husband, Kanisan, has passed away. I have 3 daughters. I have a skin condition on the soles of my feet and sores, which makes it difficult for me. Because of this, I am unable to go to work to earn an income for my expenses and food needs. My health and strength are not enough to support my family.
(At the time we met Jeyamanokari, 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.)
While I was in this situation, I heard that a new organisation in the village was providing its services and helping those in need. I learned that this organization (Palmera) which was providing services, was a support to people not just in the field but in other ways too.
Seeing my situation, my friend went and told them about my situation. She told me, “I also started my savings with a small amount, and with its help, I am now increasing my savings from 20 rupees to 50 rupees and more daily.
At first, I just increased my savings there, but then I started a small venture and earned more for my savings. I did this through Palmera. This created a situation where my neighbours did not have to take on my debt.
(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.)
My savings have now increased to 60,000 rupees. Because I’ve been working continuously, I was also able to take a 70,000 rupee loan from a village savings group to uplift my livelihood and continue my work. Through this, I have understood the income and livelihood process, and I have made this effort.
With the help we received, we are living and able to have our daily food. I faced many difficulties and humiliations to get to this point, believing that this situation will change in the future.
On my 2 acres of land, I am now cultivating cassava, chilli, rasavalli, beans, okra, and tomatoes. This has raised my standard of living. I also sell the vegetables to shops and to the group members, which has increased my income. I can feel the change in myself. This gives me great happiness.
I am also involved in raising chickens and goats, and I earn an income by selling the eggs to the groups.
(Palmera introduced goat rearing as an additional livelihood. It creates a sustainable source of income, bringing her hope and happiness.)
I also joined village savings group and taught them about its benefits. Because I grew up with them, and because of my leadership qualities in the village and the group, everyone looks at me as an exemplary woman who stands with her head held high.
(The assets Jeyamanokari 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.)
Before, people would hesitate to speak to or associate with me because of my poverty. But now, because of my efforts and progress, they interact with me well. They talk to me and also speak of their own progress. I have slowly encouraged them and have risen to this level.
(When a woman who once came for support becomes the person her neighbours seek out for guidance, the programme’s purpose has been fulfilled. Jeyamanokari is now a resource for her community, extending the reach of what you have made possible.)
I’m not very worried about where this situation was heading, thinking about the future. I will never miss a work opportunity. Because with my income, I am determined to cover all my family’s expenses.
I accept your love with happiness Kumaran. As I was unable to work and earn an income, on behalf of my family, I pray to God for you, who have been providing assistance.
You and your family, who are the reason for my great happiness, should live even more prosperously, happily, and healthily. For this, my family and I pray to God. We pray to God that you and your family who gave this help may live a long life, free from any illness or disease, and be happy. I am overjoyed to express my heartfelt thanks to Palmera for providing this relationship with you all.
Thank you,
Jeyamanokari
This is our final letter from Jeyamanokari. 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.
