your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Asha
Donor
“My husband is a drug addict and often in jail. I’m raising our three children alone.”
Sukirtha lives in Poonagery, in Sri Lanka’s Kilinochchi district, with her three children, ages six, four, and one. In the beginning, she depended on her husband’s income to get by. But her husband struggles with drug addiction and is often in jail, and over time he stopped being part of daily life at home. Because of his violence, Sukirtha and her children also became cut off from the people around them, with no one nearby to lean on.
Now Sukirtha is raising the three children on her own. Their house is not finished, and they do not have water facilities or the basics they need for everyday living. Sukrtha wakes up each day wondering how to find enough food and care for three young children with no one else to share the load.
Money is tight and unpredictable. Sukirtha does whatever work she can find to bring something in, but it’s not steady, and it’s not always enough. She never learned to set money aside. Whatever she earned, she spent right away, and then worried about what to do the next day. On the days when there isn’t enough food for everyone, she gives what there is to her children and goes without eating herself.
Sukirtha wants to build a better life for her children. She wants a proper home with water, and be able to afford food they don’t have to go without. And she wants to know her children will be fed, cared for, and given the chance to grow up safely. That is what she is working toward, one day at a time.
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.
To my loving and kind sister Asha, my family and I are well. I pray to the almighty God that you too may live with all prosperity and good health.
My three children and live in a village called Anbupuram in the Kilinochchi district. My name is Sukirtha. My eldest son is studying in Grade 3. My second son is 4 years old and attends preschool. My third son is 2 years old. My husband is addicted to an illicit substance. Because of this, frequent fights would break out in my family. We were living with many economic difficulties. I want to share with you how our family received a helping hand in this area and how we have progressed.
(At the time we met Sukirtha, her family was struggling with the deep poverty and loneliness that followed her husband leaving them. 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.)
In the year 2021, I joined the Roja Village savings Group in our village as a member. Before joining the group, I was someone who did not know the necessity of saving. I was a person who would spend whatever I earned and then worry about what to do the next day. After joining the Village savings group, I started saving just 100/- per week. Even that was not consistent every week. Now, through a small enterprise, I get an income of 300/- to 400/-. My savings are now 6000/-. I had not realized until then that I could save such a large amount of money. With this, I can meet my family’s needs, my children’s education expenses, and medical needs.
(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.)
There was a time when I had to stand with my hands outstretched for everything. In the beginning, I was dependent on my husband’s income. In those times, we were in a situation where we could not have enough food. On some days, there was no food at all. I would give the food to the children and go without eating. Such a situation does not exist now.
My three children are eating healthy, nutritious food. Through the funds you provided, I started a poultry business. With Palmera’s support, I purchased chickens and took a loan from a village savings group to build a chicken coop. The Palmera also provided assistance for a home garden and poultry farming, enabling me to produce toxin-free food and vegetables. I am now growing and selling nutritious vegetables. I also prepare and sell breakfast food. Because of this, I do not have to worry about money for food.
(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 had no income at all. Now, I earn an income from selling chickens, from my home garden, and from making and selling snacks. With this money, I can cover my children’s expenses, food expenses, and medical expenses. I am also able to repay the loan I got from the Village savings group and have a surplus to make masala mixes. I am also able to spend my own money for preschool activities, cultural events, and other such things.
(Sukirtha previously was not engaged in earning a living income but today through continued mentorship and training she is able to engage economically and this has allowed her income to increase and to meet her basic needs.)
Furthermore, to tell you about myself, in the beginning, due to my family situation and my husband’s violence, I had no social connections. I and my children were isolated in our home. After joining the self-help group, I was the treasurer. I was also selected as a representative in the zone level and am serving on a voluntary basis.
In addition, I am involved with a few other village-level organizations and am doing social work. Initially, I felt that I couldn’t do anything. Now, I feel that I can do anything and can be a guide to other women like me. I have gained the mental strength to permanently escape the abuse and violence from my husband. I have taken legal action against him to get a divorce. During these difficult times, a few people have been very supportive and helpful, and I thank them.
In the future, I have a plan to increase my income by making and selling decorative items and hairbands. I will start by selling them from home and then plan to sell them to shops in my village and other places.
I express my heartfelt thanks and happiness to you for providing such opportunities to women like me and helping us grow financially and socially. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks for this support.
Thank you.
Yours,
Sukirtha
Our work continues with Sukirtha. 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.
