your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Thali
Donor
“I have asthma and kidney problems but I don’t have any money to get treatment.”
Kasthuri lives with her son in the Pallikuda village, in Sri Lanka’s Kilinochchi district. They live with very little money, unable to afford evn their most basic needs. The house they have is a temporary shelter without basic facilities. Her husband works as a daily laborer, but his income is uncertain and doesn’t come in regularly.
Her son, 3, has Kawasaki disease. He needs ongoing, costly treatment and a special diet, and there are times Kasthuri has to rush him to the hospital without warning. Kasthuri herself lives with asthma and kidney problems, but she hasn’t been able to afford care for her own health.
Having money on hand feels like a distant hope. Whatever comes in tends to go straight toward her son’s medical needs. When she runs short, she turns to relatives and neighbors for a loan, though they don’t always have anything to spare. Those are the moments that weigh on her the most.
Despite all this, Kasthuri holds her family together, managing her son’s care and the household with very little to rely on. She wants steady support for her son’s treatment, and she wants to be able to look after her own health too, so she can keep caring for her family without running out of options. That is what she is working toward.
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 Thali,
Are you well? We are well. I pray to God that you also live well. My name is Kasthuri. I live in the Pallikuda village in the Kilinochchi district. It is only me, my husband and my child who live here. My son goes to preschool. He is 4 years old. He is studying in preschool. We are living happily. Thank you for the support you provided.
My son is a patient. He is someone under special medical observation. So I have to go to the hospital suddenly. Because of this, having money in my hand was a dream. I was in a situation where I had to spend everything on that need. At times when I didn’t have money, I would ask relatives and neighbours for a loan. On some occasions, they would say they didn’t have it. At those times, my heart would be very pained. And also, my need would not be fulfilled.
(At the time we met Kasthuri, her family was struggling with the deep poverty. 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.)
While I was in that situation, I learned about the Palmera village savings group and joined it. Before, I had no savings at all in my name. But by joining this programme, I now have an amount of over 38,000 in my name. In the beginning, it was very difficult. I would borrow from someone to make my savings. Now, I have increased the amount, and when I think that I have my own savings, I feel happy.
(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 women come together each week to talk, to share what is going on and support each other. This is the foundation for change because change happens in community and that is exactly what these structures support.)
After joining and saving like this, I don’t go and ask anyone for money. My essential expenses, and loans for other needs, I get from my group. I see this as my honour. And also, in the group, we take turns being the leader. This opportunity is not available to many. But when that opportunity comes to us, I have developed the leadership qualities, self-confidence, and the character to accept leadership that I have. I have learned through this group to plan and carry out my household chores according to a schedule. And also, I have learned to do everything with a clear method. Now, I am also the group’s bookkeeper, that is, the record keeper. I feel proud to have learned how to handle the accounts and reports for the 2 lakh fund in our group.
Also, due to my son’s illness, I was mentally affected. Hospital, home – this was how my life was moving, so I didn’t have time to socialise with anyone. But after joining this group, once a week, I get to talk and socialise with everyone, and we can share our joys and sorrows. We support each other. That is, when we are mentally down, they give us words of comfort.
Furthermore, to celebrate my birthday, they will collect money for it or put it in savings. This is not just for me, it happens for all the members in the group. Because of this, our sense of unity grows.
Furthermore, I get nets from my husband, repair it, and sell it to the fishermen in our village. I am doing that as my own business. By joining and participating in this group, the changes that have occurred in me make me feel proud.
(Kasthuri 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.)
Therefore, I thank you for the support you are providing to me and I conclude by praying that you live well.
Thank you,
Kasthuri
Our work continues with Kasthuri. 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.
