Tribefunds

There is a good demand for my palmyra bags and baskets. Additional training and using high quality raw materials will really us.

A. Deborah

Background

Hi, my name is A. Deborah (aged 40) from Mannar. I make bags, baskets and other handicraft items from palmyra. I started in 2003. In addition to general sales in Mannar I also make for special customer orders. My products are similar to that what is sold at (Katpaham) in Bambalapitiya. Katpaham trained me to start this business as their CSR initiative. They also gave me palmyra, dye and other items to start my business.

At the moment I buy imported dyes this cost about Rs.6,000 per month and the I pay Rs.2,200 every 15 days to buy palmyra leaves. Every two weeks I load my products on to a bus in Mannar which are then sent to the Goods Market in Colombo.

About 18 people work with me, they are mainly those who have been affected by the war. Our sales are about Rs.65,000 per month.

Project

We like to use imported colours because it is of a higher quality. This improves the look of the product and helps to differentiate from other products. Also I want to improve crafting and dyeing skills so that we can produce better products.

Training via the Palmyrah product training centre set up by the UNDP in Mannar. Training courses ranges between 1 to 6 months and cost approximately Rs 4,000 per month.I would like two people to be trained for a period of three months, amounting to Rs 24,000. The remaining Rs.26,000 is to source dye from varied suppliers and purchase more palmyra leaves.If you could support me I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

Description	Cost per person per month	Number of people	Number of months	Total cost (Rs.)
Training	Rs.4,000	2	3	Rs. 24,000
Purchasing dyes and palmyra leaves				Rs. 26,000
Total Cost				Rs. 50,000

Family

There are five members in my family including three children (21, 18 and 14). My oldest is not employed and the other two children go to school. My husband is a mason earns a small income so I am the main earner.

Contact Details

Full name A. Deborah
Address Valarmathy Palmyra Handicraft. Naruvellikullam, Vankalai, Mannar.
Phone 0774018820
Email N/A

Tribefunds’ administrator comment

As this is a charitable cause to help our own, we will provide the Voice Foundation Sri Lanka any contributions that are generated from this campaign. Further we waive off all administration and processing expenses in relation to this campaign, as such all donations collected will be provided to the families in full.