Mrs.Ilankeswary Gunalingam Member of Self Help Group of CORD organisation.
Palmyra products by our Self Help Group Women at Thenmaradchi Division.
“We are the members of Self Help Group of CORD organisation and actively involving in making Palmyra products as an income generation activity to help support our families. We are from Thenmaradchi division and from very poor families, before the intervention of CORD in our village we were unable to initiate any new activities to support our families. We didn’t have enough knowledge, leadership or communication skills to access relevant institutions to get any support or help. CORD has selected and empowered us by providing capacity building training on leadership, communication, marketing, and promotes savings within the group members. CORD introduced revolving scheme for group members, and we were train to maintain an individual and group savings accounts.
Mrs.Ilankeswary Gunalingam making palmyra products.
I am Mrs.Ilankeswary Gunalingam, my husband is a carpenter, we did not have a sufficient income to full fill our basic needs. Hence I learned to make handicrafts on dry Palmyra leaves, however until CORD intervened to help me I did not know how to utilize my skills. They empowered me and encouraged me to utilize my skills to do the handicrafts. CORD identified marketing opportunities to sell our products in the capital of Sri lanka. Last year I earned Rs.40, 000.00 by selling my handicraft in that marker. Here with I am giving stories of my two friends who have also been benefited by CORD.
Mrs.Baskaran Pavalakody making palmyra products
One of our group member Mrs Baskaran Pavarlakody 34 years of age, lost her husband due to the 30 year conflict that prevailed in the country. She has 05 year old child and lives with her old aged parents. She has the responsibility of not only looking after for her child and herself also but also parents. She previously did odd jobs to take care of her family members and after the intervention of CORD in the village she too became a member of the self group. Through the process of self confidence building programmes she improved her leadership skills and confidence and decided to focus on weaving waste paper baskets, small cake boxes, tray by using dry Palmyra leafs. CORD trained her to establish marketing linkages. Now she is earning Rs 12,000 per month, and was able to renovate her house, take good care for her old parents, educating her child and save for their future.
Mrs.Yogarajah Selvathy making grass mat.
Another group member Mrs.Yogarajah Selvathy 43 years of age, is widowed and has two daughters and a son. She too found it very difficult to get support her family. When she became as a member of the CORD Self group, she is now able to build her confidence and be sustainable. She also like the others make handcrafts from the Palmyra leaf. She makes Palmyra boxes, caps, and small boxes. CORD has given Rs 30,000 as a loan to expand her business. Now she is earning well and has employed three other women under her to expand her business.
