your family update
You Backed them and things began to change
Geethanjali
Donor
“My heart is troubled thinking of the miserable state we live in”
Thanapaakiyam lives in a village in Kilinochchi district, in North East Sri Lanka, with her husband and their daughter, 13. Her husband lives with a mental condition following a road accident that affected his head. They live in her brother’s home, without basic facilities of their own.
Because her husband needs care, Thanapaakiyam can’t take on steady, permanent work. The daily wage labour she manages is irregular at best. With no steady income to rely on, providing food, covering her daughter’s education, and paying for her husband’s care is a constant struggle. There is no room in her life for savings; hardship simply has to be absorbed as it came.
Living far from relatives, with no one nearby to lean on, weighs heavily on Thanapaakiyam. She talks about it often.
But, despite everything, Thanapaakiyam keeps the household going and cares for both her husband and daughter. She wants a way to earn steadily despite her husband’s condition, and enough to cover her daughter’s education and her husband’s care without constant struggle. This is what she works so hard for. A sense of stability and peace of mind.
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.
Dear Geethanjali,
Are you well? I always pray to the almighty God for you to live well. My name is Savendran Thanapaakiyam. I live in a village in the Kilinochchi district in North East Sri Lanka.
I live with my husband and my daughter (age 13). My husband is living with a mental condition due to a neurological impact on his head from a road accident that happened a few years ago. I am immensely happy that it was while I was living my family life amidst many difficulties by doing daily wage labour that I joined the village savings group as a member through my sister’s daughter.
(At the time we met Thanapaakiyam, her family was struggling with the deep poverty. 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.)
This is because there was no room for savings in my life. Hardship had taken its toll. But with the aim of saving little by little for myself, for the needs of my life, and to strengthen and carry out my livelihood opportunities to receive its benefits, I joined this group as a member. I saved for a few months. Based on my savings, I became eligible to receive a loan. There are people out there who wouldn’t trust me with a loan. But it’s not like that in this group. While I was confused about how I could improve my livelihood after receiving 30,000 rupees for the first time, they encouraged me with comforting words to take up chicken rearing, which I like.
(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.)
They encouraged me. I acted accordingly. I bought chickens and within a few months, I sold the eggs to my group members. Through them, many people got to know me. They came looking for my house to buy eggs from me. Because of this, I made new connections. Hearing this, I was very happy. As a result, I increased my savings many times over.
Not only that, through this group, I realised I had the confidence and strength to share my sad feelings, to raise my daughter in a good way, and to be able to contribute to my child’s education. Not only that, but I am also doing well in ensuring my child eats without feeling heartbroken comparing herself to other children. In addition to this, during the gardening season, I set up a home garden. Through this group, I received training on how to protect those crops, and by selling the vegetables, I made a small profit and fulfilled my family’s food needs.
(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.)
At that time, many kinds of training workshops were conducted through these groups. I have received training in making boondi. I have made a plan to do this as well. Through this too, I will fulfill and improve my life to be a happy one.
(Thanapaakiyam 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.)
This group is a rare opportunity for me to share my needs and also receive good advice and ideas. I now feel proud of myself. And that pride belongs to the people of my group, because they behaves as if they were a part of me. Not only that, but becoming a trustworthy person in the eyes of others has also happened through this group.
Therefore, I am indebted to thank everyone who was the reason for the formation of these groups. I am a good guide for people like me whose lives are tossed by waves. At the same time, I thank you very much for giving me your support. In a life surrounded by darkness, it is good for our hearts to learn and accept the belief that God, through someone, will grant us a noble life.
Although my heart was troubled thinking of the miserable state I was in before, living without relatives, in my current situation, I am happy with love, having the experience of being without pain and lowliness. Through this group, I am grateful for the benefits I have received. I am grateful to the team and the friends I now have!
I conclude my duty by praying again and again to God for your physical and mental well-being.
Thank you.
Thanapaakiyam
Our work continues with Thanapaakiyam. 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.
