your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Jacob Coleman-Bock
Donor
When we met Sathiramathy’s family, their faces told the story before they even said a word.
After being resettled in 2009 following the war, this family of five had done everything they could to rebuild their life—but it’s been a long, difficult road.
The father used to take on any job he could find—cutting firewood, clearing land, even climbing coconut trees to earn a day’s pay—just to make sure his children had something to eat. But one day, everything changed. While climbing a tree, he slipped and fell into a well. A piece of metal pierced his body, badly injuring his liver and food pipe. He spent three long months in bed—in pain, unable to move, struggling to recover.
Although he’s now able to walk, he’s never been strong enough to return to work. So now it’s Sathiramathy who carries the load. She picks up daily wage work whenever it’s available, but what she earns is barely enough to get them through each day.
With three children to care for, every day is a stretch. They make each rupee go as far as it can—but sometimes there’s just not enough for schoolbooks, a proper pair of shoes, or even a full meal. They’re not asking for much—just a real chance to get back on their feet.
We’ve captured their voice so you can hear their story.
I am a goat beneficiary, so I am very happy.
I grow peanuts, green gram, finger millet, cassava, turmeric, etc, on my land.
Palmera visited us regularly and helped us to set up the right shed for the goat. We built a beautiful shed using wooden poles. Palmera also provided training on goat farming. After building the shed, they gave us money to buy goats. We bought four nanny goats and a billy goat. Now, two goats have given birth. We have named them and taken care of them like our children.
Note – A living income, food security through fruit and vegetable cultivation and soon connections to savings support women and their families to graduate out of poverty. This is not an asset transfer program, much of the change needs to be behavioural – engaging with the families to overcome the hopelessness they have found themselves in and a path forward to re-engage in productive works.
Palmera visits us, sees the goats and the fruit and vegetable farming, and records them in a book.
I also do chicken farming. I collect the eggs and give them to the children for food. I am happy about that too.
