MANGAIYAR MANRAM.
Hindu Council of Sri Lanka(HCSL) is now giving priority to women who have been affected by war and also who are poor and unable to lead a normal life. With a view to help them HCSL has started a program of forming women's forum named as MANGAIYAR MANRAM (MM) in various areas. The idea is for every member of the organisation to contribute a minimum of Rs10/- weekly and from the savings collected start cottage industries, poultry farming, animal husbandry, home gardening , food parceling for sale etc. Thus from these ventures they could generate an income for their living.
Initially MMs were formed in Batticaloa district in March 2011 with the help of an experienced Trainer Mrs.Seevaratnam.She was able to form MMs in the following areas and start small scale cottage industries. A brief description of them and their present position is also given.
GNANASOORIYAM SQUARE.
There are 23 members in Gnanasooriyam Square MM. They are making string hoppers, pittu, thosai and vadai and supply for breakfast and dinner. Some of the members have undertaken poultry farming and sewing and are able to earn a living for themselves.
IRUTHAYAPURAM.
There are 16 members in Iruthayapuram MM. Here they produce rice flour and chili powder, packet them and sell them in the market. Some members are engaged in poultry farming and home gardening.
KUMARAVELIYAR KIRAMAM.
There are 30 members in this village. They supply rice flour based food products like strings, pittu for breakfast and dinner. Some of them own small shops supplying stationeries for students, sugar and other essentials. They also have home gardening.
SWISS KIRAMAM.
There are 40 members here and have been divided into 2 groups and work separately. They are supplying rice flour based food for breakfast and dinner. Some have shops and others carry on home gardening, poultry farming and sewing.
At present HCSL with limited funds available is paying around Rs.15,000/- per month as allowances for the Trainer. For grinding of chili and rice flour members have to go to private grinding mills and therefore cost of production of chili powder and rice flour is high. Hence we request well wishers to help us buy four grinding machines which will cost about Rs.120,000/-.
We also request well wishers to help us to pay the monthly allowance of Rs.15,000/- to the Trainer for a period of one year.