your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Aravinthan Ehamparam
Donor
When we met Kamaladevi, her home reflected the daily struggles her family faces. She lives with her husband and three daughters in an unfinished house without a water facility. Her husband works as a daily-wage laborer, and the family relies entirely on his earnings to meet even their basic food needs. Traveling to school is a challenge for the children, as they share a single bicycle. Access to clean water is another daily difficulty, as they must depend on their neighbor’s supply. Despite these hardships, Kamaladevi remains determined to provide for her daughters and ensure they continue their education.
Kamaladevi shared the immense effort required to manage the household and expressed her hope that support in livelihood or resources could help her family gain stability. She has started small initiatives to improve their living conditions and nutrition, but consistent support would make a significant difference. Meeting her was a reminder of the resilience and courage families show even in the most difficult circumstances, and her story highlights the urgent need for sustainable support for her children’s education, health, and daily needs.
We’ve captured their voice so you can hear their story.
How is your family’s situation now?
Earlier, there was no well in our area, and we had to fetch water from a public well far away, which was a big problem. I have three daughters, and it was especially difficult for my eldest teenage daughter to fetch water for bathing. Now, thanks to the well, we have water for bathing and cooking. We have also harvested our first dry crop on our land. When I look at our land now, I see green crops like peanuts, fruit and vegetable cultivation, and coconut trees. It is much better now, and life has become very comfortable because of the well.
Do you think there has been any change in your family’s situation?
Yes. Earlier, the children could bathe only once a day, but now it is a great pleasure to wash them whenever needed, and the children look healthy and happy. While we were earning a living, we could hardly afford even a single chilli for our curry—there wasn’t even a chilli plant—and fetching water was so difficult. Now, I can plant and harvest spinach and brinjal, and I can contribute half of what my husband earns. I have the confidence that even if the children need something, I can provide for them from my own work, without relying on my husband’s income. I can even give the children a meal once a day from what I earn.
Would you join the village savings group in your village?
Yes, joined the village savings group and have been saving every day and every week. Before, even if I wanted 100 LKR (approx. $0.50 AUD), I had to rely on my husband’s hand. Now, I don’t worry about that. I can save my money, provide for my children’s needs, take emergency loans if necessary, and repay them responsibly.
The group also taught us how to make compound fertilizer from our leafy vegetables. This means I don’t need to beg for money; I can use what I grow to produce fertilizer, improve our household income, and harvest successfully.
(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).
What is your future goal, sister?
My goal is to educate my children well, save more than my husband’s income, take care of my family, build a house, and ensure that we live in good conditions, like other people.
The Aravindan Ehambaram family from Australia helped you live happily.
When we were in such a difficult situation—with no water to drink and no support from relatives—you came from afar to help us. We pray that you are blessed and happy, just as you have made us joyful. Thank you.
