Ms. K. Pathamawathi
Ms. K. Pathamawathi is a 46 years old women lives in a remote village Seeppukulama, 22 kilo meters away from the city of Anurdhapura. She is married and has 3 daughters, Elder 2 are married and the youngest one still schooling. Pathmawathi also worked very hard in their agriculture field with her husband in each season. But their income was not sufficient to meet the family expenses.
She was a member of the Seeppukulama Women Development Society participated for gender awareness programmes conducted by Gender Empowerment (GEE) Programme. She was given skill development training on Eakel Broom making by FRIENDS with basic equipments and some raw materials. She started making brooms and sold to neighbours and the close by shops.
Now she is producing more than 400 brooms per month and earns a of Rs. 18000 as profit. She invested the profit to put up an agro well cost around Rs 55,000/= which will help the family to continue agricultural activity without depending rain for the cultivation.
Commenting on her achievement she says “Continuous monitoring and proper guidance given by the FRIENDS is the basis for my success”
Ms. Jagadini
Ms. Jagadini, 47 years old women lives in Thelippalai of Jaffna District. She is a widow for 20 years, stayed at home depending on the male members of her family. She had an opportunity participate for GEE group livelihood activities and joined as a member of dress making group. The group is working in the Livelihood Facilitation Centre (LFC of Thelippalai. She comes every day to work, very happy and relaxed with social relationship built with others.
“I come here not only to earn but also to be with people. I enjoy having sheared my lunch packet with others” says Jagadini.
Ms. Shanthi
Ms. Shanthi Ratnayake is a 40 years old women lives in a remote village, Punsisigama of Monaragala District.
She is a mother of 2 boys who are studying still in the age of 17 and 15.Her husband is a casual worker and she had to depend on husband for all the family needs.
She was a member of village women’s society. She has participated for gender awareness trainings. She has participated artificial flower making as interior decorations conducted by FRIENDS.
With a small investment she started to make flower pots. It was succeeded and neighbours were fascinated by her creation. Members of her group and FRIENDS encouraged her to make flower pots. All of her initial products were sold to neighbours. Now she has a market for her product.
Now she earns around Rs. 15,000/= per month and bought a Three Wheeler. Earlier she had to carry water from a distance. With her earning she was able to get water to the house. Her house is under construction. Husband’s earning is not enough for food even. They had some quarrels too due to the difficulties they faced earlier. With the new income she has started some improvements to the house also. She does not have to depend on husband now. Children demonstrate progress in their studies.