“I approached several training centres in Jaffna to learn sewing but due to the high cost of the training programmes, I was unable to enrol,” she said.When she found out about the training programme on tailoring conducted by Sarvodaya, a non-governmental organisation that has been working towards creating a no-poverty, no-affluence and conflict-free society in Sri Lanka, Kulatheswary applied and was accepted. After taking part in Sarvodaya’s orientation programme, she was absorbed into the tailoring classes. She completed the tailoring classes within three months and is now looking into buying a sewing machine through a bank loan to start a sewing business at home.
“I am happy that I have an income now and can support my husband financially and contribute to our family’s betterment,” she said.Sarvodaya Project Management Unit director Niswi said Sarvodaya provided Kulatheswary the opportunity to support herself and her family to overcome poverty with her new skills. RYTHM Foundation supports Sarvodaya’s mission to uplift and empower various disadvantaged groups in Sri Lanka by funding its initiatives such as vocational training and entrepreneur development.