Livelihood Kickstarter

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

WHY ARE WE INVESTED IN THIS PROJECT?

There is a growing body of evidence that shows that there are better solutions to many of the basic problems plaguing the nation’s food chain can be realised by means of the small family farm rather than through large, capital-intensive, fossil fuel-based operations. But in order to achieve that traditional farms need to become more efficient, which required leveraging new techniques, practices and technologies.

This project focuses on doing just that! Having identified new techniques to make peanut farming more efficient, we will be engaging 36 farmers to trial the methods in their village and then upon success, we will accelerate adoption to other farmers in the village.

THE BENEFITS

The project will directly impact 36 small scale farmers and indirectly benefit over 120 people

• Introduction of new technologies and practices that will significantly increase yield
• Prevent losses during flooding
• Improved quality to meet more profitable market requirements
• Farmers will know how to assess and self-produce seeds reducing costs of production
• Increase income for families to better meet their needs and pursue goals important to them

HOW WILL THE PROJECT WORK?

We have identified high performing peanut farmers in the Village of Thervipuram A. With these farmers, we worked with local experts and identified new practices and technologies that could significantly improve the yield of the farmers in the village. The estimated yield increase is approximately 50 – 60%.

Adoption of new practices takes time and in many instances, the poorest are reluctant to engage with these practices because of the risks of the unfamiliar.

In this project we will be working closely with 30 small scale farmers in the village who we call early adopters. They are stronger peanut farmers who see the potential of these practices and are willing to trial and test the method.

We will be providing training on 7 key innovative practices during their harvest, providing close mentoring, linking with the agricultural extension services and subsidising the inputs required for these new practices.

Through the engagement of these early adopters and through the results they produce, we can accelerate adoption through the village to significantly improve their production and quality. This will in turn enable Ranjini and the other farmers to better access profitable markets, increase their incomes and improve their ability to meet their daily needs.

HOW DO WE ENSURE THE PROJECT IS SUSTAINABLE AFTER WE LEAVE?

The program will support the training of the new techniques and provide intensive mentoring so that in time, farmers understand and have fully adopted these improved practices. With improved skills, farmers will be able to stand on their own two feet without the continued support from our local team.

In the initial harvest inputs are subsidised, to encourage adoption of new technologies, but following that, farmers are independent in supporting themselves to purchase the improved inputs. As part of the technologies shared, farmers will learn how to assess and self-produce some inputs such as seeds.

This program forms part of a 5 year village program in the village of Thervipuram A. For 5 years our local team will be based in the village supporting farmers to learn new techniques and supporting them as they adopt the practices. After 5 years our team exists from the village and the farmers and the village will continue to thrive!

Farming for Food Security and Livelihoods

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS

Home gardens, water irrigation and training for 25 families so they can both eat what they grow and sell the remainder for a regular income.

Growing the fruit and vegetables at home means:

• These families can always have food to eat, and don’t need to spend money on buying it. (In Sri Lanka, staple food is costly due to lack of supply from drought and other factors. A family can spend 40-60% of a family’s income compared to 8-12% spent in Australia.)
• The savings that a family can make from growing their own vegetables can be used for other household expenses or saved for future use
• Families will also earn a regular income, by increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables grown and selling the excess for a profit.

In order to ensure these 25 families succeed in their home garden businesses, our project partner will provide training on farming, financial management and small business.

Over the year, each family will be trained and supported to:

• Grow fruit and vegetables using organic and modern farming techniques
• Grow their farming business by increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables produced by the plants and good marketing
• Manage household expenses
• Save regularly, using savings to start their own small business, for instance, as a bee keeper for honey.

THE BENEFITS

• 25 families will have food to eat each day from the crops they grow in their own back yard
• By using organic farming practices these families can reduce the costs of farming and will be self-sufficient by using natural fertilizers and organic pesticides
• 25 families will have food security into the future
• By growing the produce in their own home gardens, these families will save money that they would otherwise have spent to buy food
• In addition, the families will earn a regular income by selling the fruit and vegetables locally
• Over the longer term, the beneficiary families can save and seek out new business opportunities.

After the project is finished, the 25 families will have home gardens set up which will provide them with food and a regular income through selling produce locally. They will also have saved over the course of the year and can look at starting their own small business, such as in bee keeping.

BACKGROUND

Many of the resettled families in the Korakankattu village in the Kilinochchi region already have farming skills. Prior to the civil war, these families were self sufficient, earning a regular income through farming, fishing and livestock. During the civil war, an economic embargo on raw materials heavily affected the ability of families in this region to continue farming activities.

The beneficiary families are now facing food insecurity. Due to the lack of tools and uncleared land, they are unable to commence a real farming livelihood. This project seeks to address food insecurity first, and then enable these families to build a farming business through which they can earn a regular income. Through the training provided, these families will have the skills to save and use these savings to establish other small businesses. BOLO proposes to establish a small business in bee keeping for honey as a pilot project to help establish the small or “micro” business culture within the community.

Sustainable Agri Business for Families Returning from IDP Camps

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

Developing sustainable agri businesses in the village of Iththavil, Northern Sri Lanka, to provide a source of food and income for 40 families who are rebuilding their lives from scratch. As part of Palmera’s sustainable livelihoods focus, Palmera will provide agricultural training, equipment and infrastructure for 40 families to begin farming in the village of Iththavil in Kilinochhi District. The produce will be sold locally to provide income to allow these families to start rebuilding their lives. Palmera will work with local organizations to assist the community to clear the land and set up irrigation so the land is ready for farming. The main water source, the agricultural well, will be reconstructed to provide a reliable water source. In addition to assisting with tools and infrastructure for farming, local organizations will work with the community to develop strategies to grow the farmers’ business, such as identifying marketing opportunities and potential markets for sale. The local community will undertake the construction involved in the project and the maintenance associated with farming. This will promote ownership and avoid the need for reliance on aid in the future. Once the land is suitable for farming and the agricultural well is repaired, around 40 families can earn a regular income. The grains also provide a good food source for the families. In time, these families and the community can begin to rebuild their lives after the devastation of the war. Kacharveli – Well Village

THE BENEFITS

• Provides a regular source of income to the farmers, which will enable these families to access other basic needs such as food, water and education
• Utilizes the existing skills and expertise of the community – which was largely farming before the war – and will further enhance the farmers’ business through collaboration with local organizations which can assist with business development
• Will develop the local economy by improving trade within and across communities
• Provides a secure food source for the farmers and their families
• Provides an interim income source for some members of the community by paying them wages for assistance with clearing the land

BACKGROUND

The people of this village of Iththavil have faced continuous displacement since 1995. In the final stages of the war, the families from this village were released from the Menik farm IDP camps and returned to their village. While approximately 70 families have been provided with temporary shelter, they still lack access to basic facilities such as sanitation, clean water, and food. The majority of the community in Iththavil is dependent on agriculture as their primary source of income. However the agricultural well, which was the primary source of water for the farmers, has been damaged and is no longer usable. As a result, farming has been abandoned and farmers are forced to undertake manual labour work to earn a small income. Local employment opportunities are limited and inconsistent so most of the community is without a source of income. The land that has been identified for setting up farming is a common space and will be allocated to a group of civil society organizations who will work together to make the best use of the land. Palmera will work with these local organizations (Eg. women’s groups, farmers) to devise an effective plan for utilizing the land to generate sufficient income for the group.

Improving Livelihoods for a Farming Community

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

To improve the livelihoods of a largely farming community, Palmera has revived an agricultural well that was in dire need of reconstruction in Malayalapuram, Killinochchi. The well was falling apart, and unsafe for farmers and the community to access, resulting in lost production and income. The new well, completed in August 2012, will improve a majority of the 500 farmers’ ability to gain a regular income and thereby improve the wellbeing of their families and the community.

BACKGROUND

Prior to the Sri Lankan civil war, Malayalapuram was a largely farming community with farmers comprising around 95% of the working population. Due to the lack of clean water, only a small number of farmers can today gain a regular income from farming. The current farming well in South Malayalapuram is in a dilapidated condition – its walls falling apart, its depth shrinking due to debris, and the lack of farming specific attachments has meant it is cumbersome, inefficient and dangerous to use. Lack of access to a sustainable source of water has severely restricted the quantity and quality of the rice that the farmer’s can produce and therefore, contributed to the farmers’ struggle in providing for their loved ones. Nearby families have also suffered from ill health due to the lack of access to clean water.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides a sustainable source of water to a majority of the 500 South Malayalapuram farmers, thus allowing them to earn a regular income
• Enables regular production of rice to support farmers, the residents of Malayalapuram and residents of the larger nearby centre of Killinochchi
• A multi-purpose well, also providing a safe and sustainable source of drinking water for around 50 people from communities living close by.

The well will now be managed and maintained by representatives from the local community. Palmera has provided the representatives with the appropriate training and information to up keep the well in good condition.

Clean Water for School Children

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

As part of Palmera’s water and sanitation post emergency development focus, Palmera has undertaken the reconstruction of a well at a local school in Malayalapuram, Killinochchi.  Around 100 students attending the school have had no access to safe drinking water, resulting in chronic illness and hampering the children’s ability to learn.The reconstruction, which was completed in August 2012, provides the children with a safe source of drinking water so they can attend school and effectively engage in education.

BACKGROUND

In its original state, the school well was unusable and a very unsafe area for the students. The children relied on rivers, streams and other unprotected water sources for their drinking water. Even at home, these children often do not have access to clean drinking water. Lack of access to safe drinking water has meant that the children are often contracting water borne illnesses. There are no doctors in the village itself, so these illnesses can seriously impact the children health and access to education. It has also impacted the health of approximately 12 surrounding families who currently do not have access to clean water.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides safe drinking water to around 100 children attending the school , and to 12 neighbouring households
• Provides water all year round, including in the dry season (the well is approximately 47 feet deep)
• Reduces water borne illnesses
• Provides a very safe area for children
• Increases student attendance in schools
• Improves the health and wellbeing of surrounding families who currently do not have any access to clean water
• Supports local employment as skilled labourers from the local village were employed to complete the reconstruction, providing a source of income and enhancing the labourers’ skill sets.

The reconstructed well will now be managed and maintained by the local school. Palmera has ensured that the school has been provided with the appropriate training and information to upkeep the well in good condition.

Rice Mill for Women

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

As part of Palmera’s sustainable livelihoods focus, Palmera will support the establishment of a rice mill business, a business fund and provide required capacity building for the women entrepreneurs. The project includes the purchase of equipment, construction of a facility and training to establish a rice mill that will provide milling service. Income from the rice mill business will be used to support expansion of the business. In addition, profits from the rice mill will be pooled in a business fund and used to make loans to other women to support new businesses. The rice mill will be managed by the women in the local community. To support the local area, rice milling will be provided at a subsidized cost to local farmers, these farmers can increase their profits.

This social business replicates a similar model implemented by OfERR, our on the ground partner, in war torn regions of east Sri Lanka.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides a regular source of income for the beneficiaries, who are primarily women. This will enable the families of these women to access other basic needs such as food and water.
• Improves the business acumen of women headed households and other beneficiaries so that the rice mill business (and other business ventures) can continue successfully into the future.
• A combination of grants and loans encourages the beneficiaries to maintain the business and take ownership and responsibility for its operation. The profits from the rice mill will be pooled in a fund and used to make loans to other women to support new businesses.
• Will enable community members to access the rice mill at reduced cost, thereby enabling them to increase their profits and standard of living.
• Storage facilities for paddy will enable storage for use during low season months, offering regular income.

BACKGROUND

The Manthai West District in Mannar, Sri Lanka, is a region that was devastated by the civil war. Now, as displaced families return to their original village, they are faced with the challenge of starting their lives from scratch. Many women in this area were left widowed following the civil war, and there is little by way of livelihood opportunities in the region. Following the devastation of the civil war, this area has limited rice milling facilities available. As a result, community members are required to travel long distances to have their paddy milled. Both the travel and the rice milling services impose burdensome costs on the farmers.

The purpose of this project is to provide a sustainable livelihood to the beneficiaries, who are primarily women, and to establish a profit-making business. In addition to training the mill operators in the equipment, training will also be provided to the women to assist their understanding of business practices and procedures. The operation of the rice mill will be managed by the Women’s Rural Development Scheme (WRDS) – which is a community group comprising of one woman from each family in the area.

A grant and loan combination will be provided to the rice mill operators. A portion of the loan will be repaid once revenue is such that repayments are not burdensome on the beneficiaries. In addition, profits from the rice mill will be pooled in a fund from which new loans will be made to other women setting up new businesses. As such, the project has the potential to develop a range of new businesses in the area.

Finally, by providing milling services at a subsidized rate, the farmers in the community can have their rice milled at a reduced cost and increase their profits.

Access to Improved Sanitation and Electricity

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

Palmera will build 5 sanitation facilities and provide 35 solar lamps for families in the Parapankandal East and West Grama Sevaka divisions of the Manthai West region, Mannar.

During the war, a significant amount of sanitation facilities were destroyed. Households are currently forced to use unhygienic environments leading to a higher chance of disease. Women in the community are at risk of attacks when accessing remote facilities.

Palmera has targeted its project to those families with a large number of women, and that are particularly vulnerable to security or safety threats. Without adequate electricity in the region, many children of IDP returnees are significantly limited in their ability to completing their studies after dark. These results in reduced engagement in education and can limit future livelihood opportunities for these children. Palmera will provide 35 solar lamps out of 60 to be provided under the program, for families with children who are studying.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides 5 hygienic sanitation facilities which will improve health outcomes for impacted families (OfERR is building a total of 10 for the community)
• The sanitation facilities will be targeted to those families with a large number of women, which will reduce the risk of potential attacks on women accessing remote facilities.
• Solar lamps will enable students in the community to study after dark, improving their opportunities for education.

A Chicken’s Business

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

Palmera will ensure that 30 women-headed households in the village of Korakankattu in Northern Province will receive training and support to successfully commence and manage poultry farming. Each woman beneficiary will receive thirty chickens and support material such as medicine. The women will participate in group seminars with agricultural experts once every three months to learn and refresh on effective poultry rearing techniques.

Many of these women were widowed at a young age and currently are the sole breadwinners for their extended families. There are limited opportunities for livelihoods for these women. Many previously tried poultry farming but were unsuccessful due to lack of knowledge and expertise. This support for running a successful business will enable these women to provide for their families, gain confidence and contribute to development of the local economy.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides 30 women and their families with the means to earn a regular income
• With a regular income, these families can better access food, water and other basic needs
• The eggs and meat will provide a highly nutritional food source to supplement the families’ diets
• The poultry farming can be the basis for successful micro businesses, contributing to the local economy.

BACKGROUND

As a result of the civil war in Sri Lanka, many women who resided in Korakankattu (a village in the Kilinochichi District, Northern Province), had most of their property and personal effects destroyed. Many of these women lost their husbands during the war and are currently the sole providers for their families. There are limited opportunities for employment in the village.

In the past, many women in the village of Korakankattu have tried poultry farming but have failed due to lack of knowledge and expertise. This project will ensure the beneficiaries receive the knowledge and skills to successfully farm poultry and generate an ongoing income. A key aspect of the project design is the role of a project coordinator who will visit each beneficiary once a month over a six month period to review progress and provide support with any issues they encounter.

Bore Wells for Livelihoods

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

Palmera will work with the local community in Manthai West, Mannar, to build bore wells for the community to use. These bore wells will enable the 120 families in the Parapankandal East and West Grama Sevaka divisions of the Manthai West region to access clean water within close proximity to their land. The water supply in this areaese villages were has been destroyed or contaminated as a result of the civil war. Many households are currently walkwalking several kilometres to access drinking water. This has also made agriculture and animal rearing difficult livelihoods to maintain.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides drinking water to for 120 families
• Provides opportunities for these families to build and maintain livelihoods in agriculture and animal rearing by providing access to clean water
• Engages the local community in building the bore wells.

Training English Teachers to Improve Literacy

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal!

Palmera will support the development and implementation of a curriculum for teacher training at an English school in Siem Reap, Cambodia. English competency has long been poor in vulnerable communities in Cambodia with little investment provided to local teachers servicing these areas.

This project aims to develop a 2-year curriculum for 20 teachers. The training will be conducted by the Australian Centre for Education at the school (Volunteer Development Children’s Association).

The training will take into account culturally sensitive issues. Some teachers will also be trained to provide ongoing training to future new teachers so that a long-term sustainable solution is achieved.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides 20 teachers with English language training
• By improving teacher standards, school students can improve their English competency and gain access to employment in the hospitality industry or further education
• Provides training in teaching methods and culturally sensitive issues
• Provides training to some teachers to provide ongoing training to future new teachers
• Identifies high performing school students so they can partake in the teacher training course which would lead them to become teachers.

BACKGROUND

The Volunteer Development Children’s Association (VCDA) is an English school that focuses on free supplemental English teaching for any child, irrespective of their financial status. Cambodia has struggled with improving the level of English in vulnerable communities as little investment has been provided to the local teachers servicing this community. There is a large reliance placed on visiting teachers, however, this also presents challenges due to short timeframes, inconsistent teaching approaches and a lack of appreciation of teaching English as a second language.

This project aims to provide English language training to 20 teachers over two years. It also provides training in teaching methods. The objective is that these teachers can then develop the competencies of the students at the VCDA school.

OUR PARTNER

In Cambodia, the mission of the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) is to provide quality English instruction to foster human resource development. ACE is part of IDP Cambodia’s English language school and has earned official accreditation with the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS), the official accrediting body for English Language Training (ELT) schools in Australia.

Urgent Livelihoods For Displaced

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal!

Urgent livelihood assistance will provide grains and initial farming support to 150 families who have been resettled from Menik farm IDP camp. Palmera will provide urgent livelihood assistance to 150 families who have recently been resettled after the closure of the Menik farm IDP camp to Mullituvu. Escaping the war in 2009, these families have lost almost all their possessions and have endured two and a half years of hardship. They are unable to return to their original homes and are therefore starting from scratch. Palmera will urgently provide 150 families with grains and initial farming assistance to grow peanuts and cowpeas. It is crucial that this assistance is provided now as this is the optimal season for farming. These families were farming prior to the war and therefore already have the knowledge and skills to grow the crops. This assistance will enable farming to commence and with income earned from selling the crops, these families can access basic needs such as food, water and shelter. Slowly, these families can begin to rebuild their lives after the devastation of the war.

THE BENEFITS

• Provides immediate relief to 150 families by enabling farming of peanuts and cowpeas for an income
• With this income, these families can access food, shelter and clean water
• The grains selected do not require much water so farmers can grow crops regardless of access to water (rain water is sufficient)
• A regular income will also assist these families to gain confidence, become self-sufficient and slowly develop an economy for this new community

BACKGROUND

In September 2012 around 300 families were resettled from the Menik farm IDP camp to the village of Mallikaithivu in Mullituvu. Currently, these families are unable to fulfill even basic needs such as food, water and shelter. While most of the families were originally farming, without assistance they do not have sufficient funds to acquire grains, and the land in this village is presently not appropriate for farming. Palmera will support ploughing of the land and fencing so that farming can begin.

Feed The Poor

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal!

300 Families. $25 AUD each. If you can. Feed the poor.

The Coronavirus is coming for the world’s poor.

Poorer countries lack the economic resources and medical infrastructure of their more developed counterparts and so are taking more draconian measures to prevent the outbreak.

They know all too well what will happen if they don’t.

But this has impacts on the poorest. These families rely on daily wages from labour. Without this income, they are left with nothing.

Those relying on income from home-based farms struggle to access the marketplace as most last mile services have ceased operations.

With communities in lock down, families are isolated and suffering in silence.

If you can, now is the time to respond.

We have identified 300 families who are in critical stages. They are families with children, the elderly and the sick. The emergency relief will be made up of dry rations sufficient to last for 1 to 3 months.

If you can. Support now.