your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Calvin Kandiah
Donor
When we met Ladsumi, she spoke softly about the heavy burdens she and her husband carry every day. They live together, but both are struggling with serious health issues. Her husband suffers from asthma, which often limits his ability to work, while Ladsumi has arthritis in her knees, making even simple movements painful. Because of their conditions, they are unable to do heavy labor or take up regular work.
The family has no stable source of income and no savings to depend on. Due to financial hardship, they cannot afford proper medical treatment and rely only on home remedies to manage their illnesses. This has made their situation even more challenging, as their health continues to worsen without professional care. Meeting daily needs, especially food, has become increasingly difficult.
Despite their suffering, Ladsumi expressed a strong desire to stand on their own feet. She believes that if they are given an opportunity to earn a livelihood suited to their physical limitations, they could survive with dignity and regain hope. With the right support, Ladsumi and her husband could look toward a safer, healthier, and more secure future.
We’ve captured their voice so you can hear their story.
How is your family income now, mother?
Now, we are saving 100 LKR (approx. $0.50 AUD) through this village savings group because we are part of it. If we need money urgently, we can take some from it. We have also planted red peas; we harvest and sell them. We use this income for food. We have also used the money to grow fruits and vegetables and sell them to the local vegetable shop. We have sold long beans, tomatoes, chillies, green chillies, cassava, and other produce. With the income we earn, we buy rice, flour, and other food.
(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).
Now, mother, what kind of work do you do to make a living?
Palmera came and gave us a goat. Two goats are about to give birth, and when they do, it will be a significant step forward for us, as the kid goats will be born and raised by us. We don’t need to take them elsewhere for birthing; we can raise them ourselves. Before, we had barely enough to eat. After I joined the group and started saving 100 LKR weekly (approx. $0.50 AUD), I now have a little left. I am happy to receive such good help. We also make nutritious flour from the grains we have sown and consume it ourselves.
What is your future goal, mother?
Now, the goats are growing, and we need to expand our goat business. We also need to build and repair our house, and I hope to expand our fruit and vegetable cultivation and improve it a little more.
What would you like to say to the family of Calvin Kandiah who helped you?
They are from a distance; we don’t know them personally, but they have come this far to see our difficulties and help us. We are very grateful, happy for their support, and thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
