Empowering War Widowed Women in Sri Lanka

PAKKIYAM – A SUCCESS STORY

Pakkiyam (45) lives in Vellamaichenai, a remote village located nearly 40km away from Batticaloa town. Her husband died 15 years ago leaving her with a one-year-old daughter and no access to an income to make ends meet.

To provide for her and her daughter, Pakkiyam began goat rearing and vegetable cultivation, both of which did not yield a sufficient income. Even though she was discouraged by her lack of success, she worked tirelessly to make her business work for her daughter’s sake. However, due to the lack of skills and knowledge her efforts did not yield her a sufficient income to tend to her daughter’s needs, including her education. As a result, Pakkiyam was forced to discuss with the Divisional Secretariat office and arrange to send her daughter to a child care institution when she was 12 years old, so that she would be looked after.

Through this project, Pakkiyam was provided with poultry, as well as training on business skills development and disaster resilience in livelihood. She now engages in poultry farming, as well as continuing goat rearing and vegetable cultivation through home gardening, and is able to run her business more confidently. The project also linked her with the veterinary officer and agriculture officer, who she would be able to approach for any future technical guidance and assistance that she needs to successfully continue her business.

As a result of the project, Pakkiyam’s monthly income has been increased by 50%. And Pakkiyam says that, she is now able to bring her daughter home and she can finally have a family. “I hope to build a safer house for the two of us and provide for her education as well as save for her future.” Said Pakkiyam.

• Empowering_war_widows_Progress_Case_Study_2.pdf (PDF)
  

MALARVILY – A SUCCESS STORY

Forty-six year old Malarvily, a budding entrepreneur, lives in Kiran, Batticaloa. Losing her husband during the war, Malarvily has been living with her mother since the war ended. In addition to caring for her elderly mother, Malarvily also supports her sister’s family by contributing towards the expenses of the two children.

To support her family, Malarvily had started to make and sell items using recycled cardboard and other materials. However with the lack of proper training, and a space to work, she was limited in how much income she was able to generate and struggled to provide make ends meet.

Through this project, Malarvily was selected to be a recipient of livelihood training and support. As a person with a disability, that requires her to use support / a crutch to walk, Malarvily was at first cautious about attending livelihood development training and mentoring.

She explained, “Because of my disability I was hesitant to participate in the training. However, due to the mentoring and assistance I received, I gained the courage to participate in the training. I realized I was not alone and there are many who are like me, with disabilities but actively participating. After attending this training I started believing in myself and now am able look at myself differently and positively. This gave me lot of strength and courage to look forward to my future.”

With the support received through the Global Giving Women Empowerment project, World Vision was able to ensure Malarvily received the right training opportunities to enhance her skills. She was trained in coconut shell crafting, and supported to purchase the required machinery, to expand the range of items that she is able to make for sale. Malarvily was further supported to construct a shed for her to carry out her business.

Malarvily has already put her training into practice and started her own business. Using the training she received, she has started to make baskets, vases, jewelry boxes, and file covers for sale. A very quick learner, she has already committed herself to sharing the knowledge she gained with other women.

“I have already started receiving orders from government officials, especially from the Divisional Secretariat. I’m also happy to say that my business is contributing towards the betterment of the environment. I’m very grateful for having been identified for this Women’s Empowerment project and for the people who came forward to support me. There are many vulnerable women in our community who have disabilities and who have no support in terms of income. I wish this project would continue to identify these women and provide the same kind of support which was given to me.”

• Empowering_war_widows_Progress_Case_Study.pdf (PDF)