Offical Website of PALM Sri Lanka
The Development initiatives of the Ampara district which is funded by European Union and partnering with UNDP/ PALM was operated in Padiyathalawa, Mahaoya, Uhana, Damana ,Lahugala and Potuvil Divisional Secretariat Divisions. Under the leadership of the District Secretary, with the support and cooperation of the Divisional Secretaries and the government officials, this program was implemented under two development initiatives.
Under the Economic Development Program, the living standards of the 547low income self-entrepreneurs (49 disabled and 64 women headed families) and 130 young entrepreneurs were uplifted with the necessary support provided. For this initiative the necessary trainings, exposure programs and creating of market places were identified for 240 families and supported them to uplift their productions. Supported 8 producer groups including 237 families to uplift their productions.367 people have been trained for skill development in the sectors food /soft toys/tailoring, pottery and Palmira productions. Two Helabojunhala (Promoting of traditional Sri Lankan food items and drinks) were assisted together with Department of agriculture. 67 total women were given job opportunities. Totally 1588 families were benefited under this component.
In addition to this intervention that Eco- Tourism Development Project of Lagoon Fisheries Management Committees in the, UraniKottukal Lagoon also completed. Project was implemented with two lagoon fisheries management committees and department of fisheries and aquatic resource. Project was done with two components,
From these 60 lagoon fishers were directly benefited and 159 were indirectly benefited. Rs.3.2 million invested for the project.
Under the Good Governance component relevant and required trainings programs were conducted for capacity building of 100 selected CBOs. Under this component 40 capacity building programs were conducted. 1057 CBO members were participated.
Under the Good Governance component relevant and required trainings programs were conducted for capacity building of 100 selected CBOs. Under this component 40 capacity building programs were conducted. 1057 CBO members were participated.
Vulnerable families are in a very precarious situation with regard to most essential living requirements. They are also very negative in their approach and attitude towards children’s education, thrift and savings, livelihood skills and social engagement. Working with this group to create a positive change in such aspects can be extremely challenging since the majority prefer to maintain the status quo rather than visualizing a better future which they do not believe will ever materialize for them. This project was ended on August 2017
Success stories
If you can dream it, you can do it. — Walt Disney
Succeeding in life by uplifting the Traditional industry of clay
As of ancient times clay, when used with different minerals and firing conditions, are used to produce earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The village of Senagama in Uhana is bestowed with these natural elements of clay in the area, which encouraged the villagers to engage in the clay manufacturing industry from ancient times. Although the main livelihood of this village is from paddy cultivation, some of the residents still continue the clay industry as their livelihood earnings.
Ms. Dilrukshi Premakumari, who resides with her parents at No.108, Senagama hails from a family who has made the clay industry their prime livelihood avenue. They earn their living by selling articles turned out of clay. Dilrukshi has hands-on experience with this industry as her mother and her maternal ancestors were engaged in this trade from generation to generation. Born as the second into a family of eight children, Dilrukshi was bright and intelligent. She was deprived from entering the University from the Commerce stream due to falling short of few marks although she got through her General Certificate of Education (Advance Level) with good results.
Her education ceases with the deprivation of entering the university and Dilrukshi finds her soul mate in the year 2003 and gets married and goes down to Colombo to reside with her husband who also was engaged in the clay industry. She returns back to the home village “Senagama” in as her husband decides to go overseas for employment. On the return of her spouse in the year 2012, Dilrukshi decides to commence the clay making venture in her own home. With the help of her husband, who was now unemployed, She started the clay making venture with all the skills and abilities acquired from her maternal ancestors. With the addition of children to the family the economic hardships not doubled but actually trebled. With the sale of the clay products her monthly income was about Rs.4,000/= or Rs.5,000/=. This income was barely sufficient for her to maintain the home fires and the children’s education.
Dilrukshi’s persistent mission to forge ahead in life and succeed despite the obstacles and hardships she faced led her to form a Society of a group of 25 committed members with the sole aim of securing the clay industry. Being appointed as the President of the Society and holding forte of the Society, Dilrukshi became a popular character not only in the village but in the town as well.
“Since Dilrukshi is engaged in an industry which is traditional, we need to give her a helping hand to protect it” this was the comment made by the Samurdhi Development Officer of Uhana. Dilrukshi learnt about the intervention by the United Nations Development Program to assist self-employment initiatives through the Economic Development Officer of the area. Luck shone on her, since she was fortunate to be selected to one of the beneficiaries of this intervention, through which she was able to secure an electric furnace to burn the clay products.
The statement made by the Divisional Secretariat of Uhana was that “we need to extend a helping hand to uplift and sustain the traditional clay industry, whereby we not only preserve this historic industry but also assist in helping the people who are engaging in this industry to come up in life”
The lives of Dilrukshi’s family begin to shine from this turning juncture. The meagre income which she earned in the past has now flourished to her earning around Rs.40,000/= a month. This income is definitely a blessing in disguise for Dilrukshi to sustain not only her family but also give a sound education to her children. In order to further improve her income, she is constructing a small room in front of her house to sell the items she produces.
The Project Officer had this comment to make “ The UNDP would be providing a Clay mixing machine and a building for the purpose of making clay articles, whilst providing all who are engaged in the craft with electric furnaces. You need to utilize these benefits to the full potential and reap the returns in order to strengthen your economic standing’
Now the village has been given a Clay mixing machine. Most of those who are engaged in this industry are earning a good income which is more than what Dilrukshi is earning. However, her earnest aim is to produce good quality clay products which will not only be acclaimed within the village and nearby town, but would be recognized around the island.
