K. Sooriyakumary

K. Sooriyakumary is a mother of six, 4 daughters and 3 sons. 3 children yet attend school. Sooriyakumary is a resident of Kumurumoolai, Koralaipattu North of Batticaloa. Her husband works as a labourer and has no sustainable income. Due to his drinking habit he does not take up his responsibility of looking after his family nor does he help support his children’s education. Living in a very small house, with a meager income and no proper water or sanitation facilities, Sooriyakumary solely carries the entire burden of fending for the family and struggling with financial and other numerous issues.

Before being relocated to Kumurumoolai, Sooriyakumary was a proud owner of a small farm with 65 cows and 110 goats. Her family also owned a grocery shop, sewing machines and many household items. But all of this was burned and destroyed due to the war. Sooriyakumary was displaced to Valaichchenai after they lost all their belongings. Recently she and her family were relocated to Kumurumoolai.

Sooriyakumary has more than 20 years experience in sewing. She makes a living by tailoring clothes for children and ladies, and sewing pillow covers and school uniforms etc. She has two assistants to help her out. Though she and her assistants are extremely gifted and are able to take more orders, they were restricted because their sewing machines were old and took longer time to sew.  As Sooriyakumary desired to buy new machines and improve her business, she started to save. She finally approached ADT and requested assistance in purchasing a new “Zig Zag Sewing Machine”.

ADT provided her with a Microloan and together with the money she had saved, she purchased a new sewing machine. Now with a new machine and a new sense of hope Sooriyakumary is able to tailor more clothes, accept more orders, and earn a better income to help support her family.