RLF case story TECH – Norway Development Fund
Perseverance and Determination made her to prosper in life
Ms. Sarojini Mathan
Ms. Sarojini MathanThe prolonged war and displacement in the country made things upside down for a number of families. Sarojini Mathan (45) is one such case. She was born inMannar district but the war brought her to Muthaiyankaddu in Mullaitivudistrict. Her husband is missing and she had to manage the family affairs all aloneto provide for the two children and her old age mother. “My sufferings cannot be mentioned in words. I had to find some earning daily amidst the war conditions to keep the fire burning at home. I used to perform ad-hoc labour jobs and got paid meagre sums with which we could run the family to some extent. With the end of the war we were moved to Cheddikulam WFC in 2011 from where we moved to our own place in the same year. There were no facilities and services Available except for bare lands with over grown bushes and damaged buildings.
We came across humanitarian agencies at the time that provided assistance tothe under privileged people like us. One such agency was the Development Fund,Norway which identified us as their potential beneficiaries and provided us micro credit to commence rearing of cow which made the ultimate turning point in our lives” said Sarojini about her beginning. “I could commence collecting milk within 3 months of the receipt of the cow. On an average I could milk 8 L daily which I could feed my family comfortably and sell the balance at the milk collection centre nearby. I continued my labour work so that the income was sufficient for my children to study comfortably. After some months I could buy one more cow which gave me added strength for my financial capacity. I commenced poultry also now to improve my income which was also supporting my initiatives. Since I had useful land area it was another good thought to grow CO3 grass given to cows by the livestock families. This paid gracefully which enriched our whole income. With this I ventured to introduce the production of ‘bio-gas’ initially to use at home for cooking as well as production of electricity. The organic waste from the livestock proved quite useful in this initiative” said Sarojini very enthusiastically.
“Over the years my son and daughter could successfully enter universities for their higher studies and I am very proud that I could do my best for my children under very trying conditions. Now that they have gone for higher education I am sure they would do well in life and look after me in my old days” says Sarojini with a lot of hopes when tears started to flow from her eyes. In the process Sarojini was adjudged the best livestock farmer in Mullaitivu District by the Dept of Animal Production and Health during 2015. Now she could construct and enlarge her hut in to a large house with the inputs provided by the government and using her own contribution so that the life would not be difficult anymore.
The lesson that we learn from Sarojini is that determination and perseverance are the key words. To achieve one’s ambitions and objectives. Sarojini is still continuing her initiatives at Muthaiyankaddu and it proves to be a very sustainable effort.
