By Shera Fowler | Project Leader
So many people in the world need help that it sometimes feels overwhelming. But when you meet a woman like Mrs. Shanthakumari, you realize that small steps make a huge difference. When CERI’s staff met Mrs. Shanthakumari, we knew she had promise and would use the money we gave her to restart her pottery business wisely. She initially started her business in the 1990’s, but faced major losses of her house and possessions due to the civil war within Sri Lanka. Through all the hardships, she never became discouraged. Mrs. Shanthakumari is very active in the community and, after raising three children of her own, she took in a foster girl who had been abandoned by her family as a result of a physical impairment. These great qualities gave CERI confidence that she was a worthy candidate to help succeed. We gave her a loan of $100 in June of 2010. She profited greatly in that year, repaid her loan, and even made a $200 profit in a single sale. After the destructive flood earlier this year, CERI gave her another loan of $250 to rebuild her business again. Through the profits of her business, Mrs. Shanthakumari plans to repair and improve her home and continue to take care of her 10-year-old foster daughter. These small loans are often the difference between a life of poverty and struggling to make ends meet and meaningful employment which restores dignity and self-sufficiency to families. There are many more worthy candidates like Mrs. Shanthakumari, and your gift can provide them with an opportunity to succeed!
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