NIWTON AND WINNETHA

As part of our priorities here we are providing money to Sri Lankans to start their own small businesses. I have given an insight into one of these already (see The Eggman - Niwton).



The other is Winnetha, a single mother who previously had a sewing business until her machine broke beyond repair. As so often is the case, she didn't have enough money to buy a new one. We gave her a loan so that she could buy a new machine. She currently makes pillow cases and sheets from offcuts from the large garment factories that are in her area. Any offcuts that are too small for this are used to make doormats. The thread that she uses is also from the garment factories, now too small to be used in the automated machines.



The business has progressed in the last two months and she now has a regular order of 100 pillow cases a month. Her son makes these deliveries and sells the goods on a bike she was able to buy from the profits. He also maintains the machines and assists with the cutting and is learning some basic tailoring. Here in Sri Lanka, most of the tailors are men so this hopefully will give him some opportunity in that field.


On my last visit we collected the monthly repayment and got some feedback on her business and how it is impacting her. She tells me, "Having the business has given me a hope for the future because I am in control of my income." Previously Winnetha relied on odd jobs and the generosity of others in her community and family to survive. She also mentions that having to make repayments keeps her accountable and committed to her work.



Winnetha hopes in the next 12 months to sell her machine so that someone else can start a small business in another area and buy a more sophisticated machine. She will then be able to make more than just simple items and increase her profit.



We are currently looking at three more businesses to start up in the next few weeks. This is something that is making an obvious change in people and we are excited with what the future holds.