your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Nivethika Thambithurai
Donor
When we met Makeswary, we met a mother carrying both visible and invisible scars of war. As the head of her household, she shoulders every responsibility alone. Her husband lost his life during the conflict, and since then, she has fought daily to provide for her family with quiet strength and determination.
Her daughter was injured by a bomb during the last war, leaving her with a crooked mouth that requires monthly clinic visits. The cost of transportation and medicine weighs heavily on Makeswary’s fragile income. Adding to her struggle, she too carries an injury to her hand from the war, making heavy labour impossible and limiting her ability to earn a steady living. Some days, even providing enough food for the family feels uncertain.
Yet, there is hope. Makeswary has space around her home where she could raise goats or start a small garden. With the right support, this opportunity could help her family move toward self-sufficiency, restoring not only their income but also their dignity. Your support could turn this small piece of land into a pathway toward stability and renewed hope.
We’ve captured their voice so you can hear their story.
Mother, How is your family situation now?
Our family situation is much better now than it was before. Both my husband and I were affected by the war, and my daughter was injured. My son is not with us either. Then Palmera helped us, and we are now managing much better.
(At the time we met Makeshwary, her family was deeply affected by the consequences of the war. With Palmera’s support, the family began to recover and rebuild their lives.)
Could you tell me about your current livelihood situation?
We are doing fruit and vegetable cultivation and cook them for ourselves. We don’t buy vegetables from outside.
(For food security, Palmera supports women to establish their own home garden. It starts with what they have and then builds on their knowledge—training to overcome pests, access to seeds, which is increasingly difficult, and knowledge to ensure a wide range of vegetables are grown for child nutrition.)
Palmera supported us with peanut sector, including providing seeds, and we are able to harvest twice a year. Now, we are thriving with it, and I am earning an income from the harvest as well. I am doing well and happy now.
(In addition, Palmera supports her in starting peanut farming by providing access to quality seeds, introducing new practices, and facilitating collective selling opportunities. Through these efforts, Makeshwary is able to earn a reliable income while ensuring better nutrition and stability for her family.)
We were supported with 5 goats from Palmera, and one of them gave birth to baby goats. Now, I have 7 goats. I am very happy now.
(Palmera is helping Makeshwary diversify her livelihoods to improve food security and income. After supporting her with a home garden and peanut farming, Palmera introduced goat rearing as a second livelihood. It creates a sustainable source of income, bringing her hope and happiness.)
What are your future plans?
I have 7 goats now. My plan is to turn those 7 goats into a farm.
Are you joining Palmera’s village savings bank?
Yes, I have joined Palmera’s village savings bank.
(Palmera established the village bank in her village to develop financial literacy, providing a place to save and revolve their savings as loans to reduce their debt from predatory lenders.)
What’s good for you about going to Palmera’s village savings group?
I go and save a little every week. We believe that we now have our own savings. They are giving me financial assistance, so the family is doing well. That gives me some peace of mind.
Mother, what would you like to say to the family who helped you?
They helped us a lot. Because of them, we have made this much progress. It’s because of the goats they gave us that we are moving forward like this. We pray that God blesses them.
