MOTHER & CHILD PROJECT

MOTHER & CHILD PROJECT

PROGRESS REPORT

FOR THE PERIOD

FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2021

Mother & Child Project (MCP) was initiated by CandleAid Lanka (CA) at the

beginning of February 2021. Progress of the project and details of fund utilization

for the period February to April 2021 are given below

CandleAid established a fund to support Mothers who are either widowed or abandoned by their

spouses. These are women who are required to feed, clothe, educate and nurture the children

alone, while also making a livelihood to keep the home fires burning.

Through our network of volunteer coordinators CandleAid is able to source families who fall

within the above criteria and give them assistance by contributing LKR 5,000 per month to

supplement the family income for a period of 12 months. More importantly, CandleAid will

explore the possibility of empowering them to generate an income independently by assessing

their abilities, strengths, and surrounding circumstances. Women who are already engaged in

small-scale home-grown initiatives will be assisted to improve the productivity of their

endeavors through a discussed plan of action. It must be mentioned that all beneficiary families

may not qualify for empowerment.

Enrolling of families commenced in February 2021 and since then twenty families (MCP 01 to

MCP 20) have already received the monthly assistance.

While two of the families, MCP 01 & MCP 02 received the monthly donation of LKR 5,000

commencing February and March 2021 respectively, the other 18 families were enrolled with

effect from April 2021. The commitment for the above 20 families is LKR 1,200,000 for one year.

We have screened one more family to be enrolled in May.

Summary of the Mother & Child fund is as follows:

Total donations received up to end April 2021 LKR 1,260,000

Number of donors 15

Total amount allocated up to April 2021 LKR 1,200,000

Amount to be allocated in May 2021 LKR 60,000

There are another 22 applicants screened and awaiting enrolment as and when funds are

available for the purpose.

Given below are details and photos of the 20 families already enrolled.

Family circumstances: Kusum is a mother of two children. Her spouse was a farmer and while he was working a stone fell on him and he succumbed to the injuries in 2017. After his death she is facing lot of difficulties to bring up her children. Her Elder daughter is studying in grade 05 and is due to write grade 05 scholarship examination. Her younger daughter is attending pre-school. Presently, she works as a cultivation laborer whenever she finds work and earns about LKR 5,600 per month. Her old age mother also lives with them, and she is suffering from high blood pressure. The meager income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses.

Family circumstances: Rashika is 35 years old and is a Mother of four children. Her spouse, who was a vegetable seller, was killed in 2020 in a dispute among the vendors. Her eldest son, 16 years old is due to write the GCE Ordinary Level examination this year. The second son, 15 years of age is studying in Grade 10 and the third son, 12 years of age is studying in Grade 7.The third son is suffering from a neurological ailment. Her youngest daughter is only 2 years old. Rashika runs a small outlet from her home selling few odds and ends (mainly groceries). Her brother had given her the capital to start this humble venture. She also makes breakfast and lunch parcels for about eight construction workers who resides close to her house. The meager income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses, educational related expenses and medicine for the 3rd child.

Family circumstances: Geethanjalee aged 45 is a mother of four children. Her spouse has passed away in 2018 due to a heart attack. After his death she is facing lots of difficulties to bring up her children. Her eldest daughter is studying in grade 11 and is due to write G.C.E. Ordinary level examination. Her 2nd daughter is studying in grade 06. Her 3rd and 4th are twins studying in grade 02. Presently, she works as a cultivation labourer whenever she finds work and earns about LKR 8,400 per month. The meager income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses.

CandleAid Ref. No. : MCP 01

Name of Beneficiary: Mrs. Rashika Udayangani, Moratuwa


Name of Beneficiary: Mrs. Shyama Kusum, Nildandahinna


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. R. M. Geethanjalee, Halgranoya

Family circumstances: Indika aged 37 years is a mother of three children. Her husband passed away in 2018 due to hepatitis. Since his death Indika faced many challenges in bringing up her three children without a regular income. Her eldest daughter is due to write the G.C.E. Advanced level examination in August 2022. Her 2nd daughter is studying in grade 8 and the youngest daughter is studying in grade 01. She was assisting at a sweet-making business and earning a meager income. However she could not regularly go to work since on some days she did not have anyone with whom she could leave her youngest child. Due to this reason she was discontinued at work. Indika has no means of income now and her relatives assist the family with food and the Principal in the school helps them with the children’s education needs whenever possible.

Family circumstances: Lakmalee is 31 years old and is a mother of two children. She lost her husband in May 2017 due to floods. Her eldest daughter is attending school and is in grade 6 and the younger child is 04 years old. She is unable to do any regular work as she needs to take care of her children. She receives a government dole of LKR 2,500 per month. In the last week of every month, she does a part-time job as a temporary helper at a private company and earns about LKR 6,000 per month. The meager income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses.

Family circumstances: Lakshmi aged 43 years is a mother of two children. Her husband had

committed suicide in 2015 while working as a labourer in a factory

(as a result of a mental issue). Her eldest son is in the GCE advance

level class and expects to write the examination in 2021. Her

daughter is in grade 7. Her Mother-in-law too lives with them. Lakshmi is working as a cleaner in a private company and earns about LKR 14,000 per month. Since this amount is inadequate to meet their living expenses, she sews carpets whenever she finds the time, and earns a small amount by selling them to neighbors. The income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her children.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. Y.L.G. Indika Damayanthi, Matara.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs.H.G.Chathurika Lakmalee,

Matara.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. H K Lakshmi, Matara.

Family circumstances: Anuradhi aged 33 years has been abandoned by her husband 3 years

ago and he is living with another woman. Her son is 12 years and in

Grade 8. He passed the Grade 5 scholarship examination with 171

marks, which is a remarkably high mark. Although he could have gone

to a better school, due to financial constraints he continues at the

village school.

They are paid LKR 8,000 as alimony and she gets LKR 2,000 from the

government as a dole. Anuradhi had to undergo surgery in 2017 to

rectify a tumor that burst in the fallopian tubes and after this

operation she is sickly and unable to work.

The amount she gets is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses,

medical expenses and educational related expenses of her son.

Family circumstances: Disna is a mother of five children. Her husband died in 2019, due to rat fever. Her eldest son is studying in Grade 10, and is due to write G.C.E. Ordinary level examination in year 2022. Her 2nd son has been given to the temple due to financial difficulties and is a monk now. Her 3rd & 4th Sons are studying in grades 06 & 04 respectively. Her youngest son is 3 years old. Due to financial difficulties and the trauma of placing food on the table for her children Disna’s mental capacity is very questionable. Her Mother also lives with them, and she is suffering from mental disease too. Due to these reasons they receive government doles of LKR 5,000 and LKR 3,000 per month. The amount she gets is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses, and educational related expenses of her children.

Family circumstances: Irangani is a mother of three children. Her husband had died in February 2021 following electrocution. Her eldest son is studying in Grade 11, and is due to write G.C.E. Ordinary level examination this year. Her 2nd son is studying in grade 06 and youngest is an infant of 4 months. The house they live in is in a dilapidated condition and half built. During bad whether it’s very difficult to live in the house. Presently, her parents and relatives are helping them. This family has no other means of income. The help she receives is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses, and educational related expenses of her children.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. P D Charika Anuradhi, Galpatha


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. D. Disna Kumari, Nawuththuduwa.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. Y.M. Irangani, Kandapola.

Family circumstances: Wimalawathie is 43 years old and is a Mother of three children. Her spouse, who was an electrician, was electrocuted while working and lost his life six years ago. Her eldest daughter, 16 years old is due to write the GCE Ordinary Level examination this year. The second daughter, 13 years of age is studying in Grade 08 and youngest son, 07 years of age is studying in Grade 02. Her mother also lives with them. Wimalawathi works as a tea plucker and earns about LKR 6,000 per month. The meager income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her children.

Family circumstances: Thilomi is 46 years old and has one son. Her spouse left the family four years ago and he has remarried. Her son, 07 years of age is studying in Grade 03. Her mother who is 85 years old too lives with them. She is very sickly, weak and deaf. Thilomi has no permanent job and no support from her ex-husband. However she sews bags and makes batik articles in a very small way and earn about LKR 12,000 per month. This income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her son.

Family circumstances: Sandamali is 32 years old and is a Mother of three children. Her spouse, died in an accident four years ago. Her eldest daughter, 11 years is studying in Grade 07, 2nd daughter 05 years is in Grade 1 and the youngest daughter 4 years is in pre-school. Sandamali lost her parents when she was small and grandparents only looked after her. Presently the 76 year old grandmother also lives with her. She works as a labourer whenever she finds work and earns an income of around LKR 5,000. The meager income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her children. When the husband was alive, they lived in a hut on a hill, and lost it as a result of an earth slip. Presently they live in someone else’s house.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. M.M. Wimalawathie, Udupussallawa


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. S M Thilomi Indika, Ganegoda


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. E M A Sandamali Rathnayaka,

Panliyadda.

Family circumstances: Gunawathie is 49 years old and is a Mother of three children. Her spouse died of pneumonia in May 2018. Her eldest daughter 18 years old is in Grade 12 and will write GCE Advanced Level examination in 2022. The second son, 11 years of age is studying in Grade 07 and youngest son, 06 years of age is studying in Grade 01. Gunawathie cultivates and earns a meager income. The income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her children.

Family circumstances: Priyadharshini is 40 years old and is a Mother of two children. Her spouse died of cancer in 2015. Her eldest daughter, 12 years old is studying in Grade 7 and the second daughter, 08 years of age is studying in Grade 03. Priyadharshini had a small grocery shop. However due to the COVID situation last year she had to close it down. She also had a fall last year which injured her left arm. She still cannot do anything with this arm and therefore is unable to do any work. Her parents assist her for their day-to-day expenses since she has no income at present.

Family circumstances: Kumari is 52 years old and is a Mother of two children. Her spouse abandoned the family 16 years ago. Her eldest son, 25 years old is handicapped. The younger daughter is 18 years old and is in the Advanced Level class. Kumari is unemployed and they get from the Government a disabled allowance and the low income grant ‘Samudri’ totaling LKR 8,000. This income is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her daughter.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs H A C Priyadharshini Hettiarachchi,

Mungwatte.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. H M Chandra Kumari Ekanayake,

Kimbissaa


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. B M Gunawathie, Kalaganwatte

Family circumstances: Prithika is 51 years old and is a Mother of two children. Her spouse

died of Cancer in 2012. Her elder daughter has written GCE

Advanced Level examination in January 2021 and awaiting results.

The younger daughter, 11 years of age is studying in Grade 07. Prithika is working at a mill and earns an income of around LKR 12,000. The income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her children.

Family circumstances: Dayani is 39 years old and is a Mother of two children. Her spouse died of Kidney disease in May 2017. Dayani is suffering from mental stress. Her elder daughter, 16 years old is in Grade 11 and will write GCE Ordinary Level examination in 2021. The younger son, 12 years of age is studying in Grade 07. He is suffering from an eye disease and is treated at the Eye Hospital in Colombo. Her mother also lives with them. They do not have a permanent residence and presently live in her brother’s house. Dayani is working at a garment factory as a cleaner and earns around LKR 13,000. The income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her children.

Family circumstances: Luxshini is 25 years old and is a Mother of one child. Her spouse left the family when she was 3 months pregnant. Presently she is training to sew at the AG's office. Her son is only 4 years old and is attending pre-school. She lives with her mother, who works as a housemaid and earns about LKR 9,600 per month. This family is in the low-income category and therefore receives a government dole of LKR 3,600 per month. However the income earned by her mother and the dole is inadequate for their day-to- day expenses.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. A P Prithika Nilanthi, Matara


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. R D Dayani Lakmalee,

Kamburugamuwa


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. I Luxshini, Jaffna.

Reading the details given above, there is no doubt that all our donors will be gratified that they

have collectively enabled CandleAid to initiate and run the Mother & Child Project. These

impoverished single mothers are facing acute hardship and heartache in nurturing their children

amidst all the challenges of poverty.

CandleAid has committed to disburse LKR 60,000 per family for a period of one year.

Family circumstances: Oinsha is 31 years old and is a mother of a son. She has studied up to grade 10. Her spouse left the family in 2014. She works as a housemaid and earns about LKR 13,000 per month. Her son is 12 years old and is studying in grade 07. Her widowed mother also lives with them. Her Aunt also lives with them with her disabled daughter, who is 19 years old. However, she does the cooking and household work. Her aunt also works and earns a meagre income. The income they receive is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her son.

Family circumstances: Maheshwari is 48 years old and is a Mother of one child. Her spouse left the family 11 years ago when she was 6 months pregnant. After he abandoned the family she faced lot of financial difficulties. Presently she works as a housemaid and earns about LKR 10,000 per month. Her daughter is 11 years old and is studying in Grade 06. The income she earns is inadequate for their day-to-day expenses and educational related expenses of her child.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. K Oinsha, Jaffna.


Name of Beneficiary : Mrs. K Maheswari, Wattukkottei.

Self-empowerment of Women: As mentioned earlier, CandleAid will endeavour to enroll some

of these mothers in its Empowerment of Women (SEW) programme thereby giving them a much

needed lifeline and even more importantly dignity in self-accomplishment.

Already MCP 001, Rashika has been assisted to widen the scope of her modest endeavour with a

donation of LKR 10,250 out of funds in the Self-Empowerment of Women Programme. Even

though the current situation in the country due to the pandemic is not conducive to making any

changes, CandleAid is studying the profiles mentioned above to ascertain the empowerability of

these women.

Acknowledgement : This project would not be possible if not for the genorisity of our donors.

CandleAid takes this opportunity to express our appreciation for the spontaneous donations

made to the fund. The trust and confidence placed in CandleAid in doing so is deeply

appreciated. It is such gestures of goodwill and concern that have enabled Candleaid to carry out

the many meaningful projects and programmes in its endeavour to alleviate poverty. Thank you

one and all.

Yasmin Weerasuriya

Head of Food Programme

CandleAid Lanka

04.05.2021

Tel. +94-112642526/+94767062526

Email: [email protected]

MOTHER & CHILD PROJECT

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