your family update

“We live day to day in fear, not knowing what will happen to us.”

Selvakumari lives in the Mullaithivu district with her two young daughters. Her husband died in 2012, leaving her a widow with two children to raise on her own.

Since then, Selvakumari has kept her family going through daily wage labour, taking on whatever work she can find just to put food on the table. She has done this from the time her daughters were very young, and it has never let up. She has no savings, to fall back on, since there was rarely anything left over to set aside in the first place.

As a female-headed household, Selvakumari and her daughters have lived without much real safety or protection. She describes it as a life lived in fear, with no one around them who seemed to care what happened to their family.

When something urgent came up, whether a medical need or a school expense, she had no money of her own to draw on and would have to ask her neighbours for help. It wasn’t always given, and there were times she had to manage without.

Beyond the day-to-day strain of money, Selvakumari carried her worries mostly alone. Carrying all the burdens of life by herself. Even so, Selvakumari has never stopped working hard to raise her daughters and keep them in school. Her biggest wish has been to find a way to cover their educational costs, so they have a chance at something better than what she has had to live through.

Please note for many beneficiaries sharing in written form is not easy. We sit with these men and women to support them to share their story and have added context so you can weave together what you have made possible.

My name is Selvakumari Vijayan. I live in the Vavunapuram Modiththil area. I have two daughters. One is 14 years old and the other is 16. Both are studying. My husband passed away and left me 14 years ago. So I live alone with my children. My husband died in the year 2012. Since then, my two daughters and I have been living in the midst of hardship. my family and I were in a state of extreme poverty.I had no kind of savings, nor the knowledge that I needed it. I also had no money with me.

I wish to say a few things. It is not shameful to say it; it is the truth. After my husband died, my children and I would go for daily wage labour to fulfil our food needs. That is how I looked after them from a young age. And I used to think about what I could do to fulfil my children’s educational expenses then.

(At the time we met Selvakumari, her family was struggling with the deep poverty and loneliness that followed her husband’s death. 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.)

When Palmera came to our village things changed. Through our village’s savings group, the Palmera’s staff came to our house and held a discussion about the method of forming a village savings group. When I approached the field staff, they were loving and supportive people to whom I could speak with about my state of poverty and the worries in my heart.

I spoke of my situation and my story. It was a space where I could speak with an open heart. Afterwards, I wanted to join this group. I started to save the full 50 rupees. But I realised this saving was not a large amount. After a few months, I was able to save more money from my work.

(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, people come together each week to talk, to share what is going on and support each other. This is a foundation for change. Because change happens in community and that is exactly what these structures support.)

During that time, one day, my daughter’s expenses arose. And, from the money I had saved, I received 5000 rupees and was able to fulfil my daughter’s health needs.  Before this, during my difficult times, I would borrow from my neighbours for my needs. From now on, I will not borrow from my neighbours for any of my needs.

Today, I am very happy to have received my own money and to be taking care of my children’s educational expenses. This is the first time in my life I am spending my own money like this. And I have saved 18,130 rupees. I hold this happily in my heart.

(Through the programme, Selvakumari has been able to place her children’s education at the centre of her household planning. When a mother can pay school fees without crisis or borrowing, children stay in school. And with that, the path forward for the next generation begins to open.)

Also Palmera gave us a helping hand with gardening. They gave us actual practical help, and they gave seeds like pumpkin, eggplant, long beans and others. Also, considering our situation, they helped with chicken rearing. Because of this, I sold eggs for income. I have 13 chickens now. I also received vegetables for my food needs. The excess, I sold to my neighbours and I use the money for daily needs.

Also, the goat rearing project was provided through the organisation. 05 goats were provided. I have raised them. Now they have become 10 goats. I have raised them too. Recently, one female goat was sold for 17,000 rupees. With the money that comes from this, I am able to pay off my debt, and look after my children’s education, and other expenses. Through my own efforts, I am looking after my family.

(Palmera introduced goat rearing as an additional livelihood. It creates a sustainable source of income, bringing her hope and happiness.)

(The assets Selvakumari has built through the programme -her animals, her cultivation, her skills- belong entirely to her. When Palmera’s support ends, these income sources do not disappear. What she has built continues. This is what sustainable economic independence looks like.)

I also wish to say one more thing. I am a female-headed household, living with two daughters, with no safety and no protection, a life lived in fear. That is how it was. No one used to care about us. Now, in the village, in this place, today I have come to a state where I am a role model. I myself am managing my family responsibilities.

The women in the village groups join with me, and they ask me for advice. And I, step by step, tell them. I tell them also that true relatives and friends are there in our village savings group. I feel happy when they listen to me.

(When a woman who once came for support becomes the person her neighbours seek out for guidance, the programme’s purpose has been fulfilled. Selvakumari is now a resource for her community, extending the reach of what you have made possible.)

Also, to eradicate poverty and to raise my livelihood, I am planning to purchase a good cow. Along with that, I have thought of increasing my goats, and expanding my income.

To William and your family who provided help to my family, I pray to God that you should live a long life with health. I stand here praying and blessing you. We have not seen you face to face, but through your generosity, we see you in the form of God.

I believe that one day many good things will happen for your family too. I pray asking God for that.

Thank you,

Selvakumari

This is our final letter from Selvakumari. The programme is complete. And what she has built will not end when our work does. She came to us with no savings, no reliable income, and no clear path forward. She leaves with all three. And with the skills, confidence, and community to keep building what she has started long after this programme ends. Thank you for making all this possible. We couldn’t have done it without your generosity.