your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Winitha
Donor
“I have suffered all my life, and even after I got married, it’s been difficult. Because he drinks, it’s always difficult.”
Kayalini lives in Paruthichery with her husband and their two children, a nine-year-old and a three-year-old. She used to work in a mill, but she stopped a month ago because her husband said she should stay home and there was no one to look after the children.
Her husband does masonry work when he can, but it’s not regular. Sometimes he works in gold work, but he only gets paid once a month. If it rains, there’s no work, so they don’t always have enough money for food or other things.
Most days they manage by borrowing a little money from a small self-help group or taking groceries on credit from the shop and paying later when her husband earns. They are also slowly paying off a loan they took to repair their house after a disaster. The house still has problems, like water leaking inside when it rains, which makes staying there hard.
Kalyani’s whole life has been difficult. Her husband’s drinking makes it even worse. Her husband sometimes drinks and leaves for a few days, which makes food and daily life harder, but family helps when they can.
Even with all this, Kayalini keeps caring for her children, managing the money, and paying off debts little by little. She wants her children to go to school and get good jobs one day, so they don’t have to struggle like she does.
Her hope is simple. She wants enough for their needs, a house that does not let in rain, and to raise her children so they can be happy and have work. She dreams of a small house with two rooms, a kitchen, just enough to live safely and comfortably. She says, “we want to educate the children, so they don’t suffer like us, and we want to keep them happy.”
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 Winitha,
I live in the Batticaloa district in Sri Lanka. My name is Kayalini. I have a daughter, S. Tanusikan, age 9, and a son, S. Nirusan, age 3. My daughter goes to school. My husband goes for daily wage labour jobs that are available.
(At the time we met Kayalini, 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.)
I joined the Amman Savings Group in my village and have been saving for the last three years. To tell you about myself, before joining the group, I had no habit of saving at all. Saving money seemed like a very big task, but after joining this group, the savings I have made so far comes to 31,000 Rupees.
(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.)
Because I joined the savings group, it was useful for buying small equipment for my husband’s fishing business and for urgent needs. Also, I had taken loans in the village at high interest. But after joining this, it was a great strength to me to pay off these loans. Through small jobs, I am fulfilling our needs.
In the beginning, based on the help the Palmera organisation gave for chicken rearing, I got eggs for my children’s food needs, and by selling the excess, I am getting an income. In addition, by growing types of greens and vegetables at home, I am fulfilling our food needs.
(For food security, Palmera supports women to establish home gardens and small poultry farming. This is becoming more challenging with wild monkeys, limited access to seeds, and increasing pests due to changing climate. Because of these challenges, many do not engage in home gardening and poultry. Through your support, we are changing that, helping families grow their own food and earn an income from what they produce.)
Before, I never used to go outside my house at all. But after joining the group, I came to know the light of the outside world. Everyone talks and laughs with me. They visit my home. Because of this, I am happy.
In addition, without water for drinking and bathing, I was facing a very big challenge amidst many other difficulties. During that time, I was using the neighbour’s house for drinking water and a deep well far away for bathing, now Palmera has provided a drinking water facility for me. Because of this, I am fulfilling my daily needs. Now I am happy.
Currently, I do not have a house. Therefore, my thought is to live in a good house in the future.
Dear Winitha, I was very happy about the help provided through you to us, to those who are in need like this. My family and I pray to God that you may live with God’s blessings.
Thank you,
Kayalini.
Our work continues with Kayalini. 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.
