Women Entrepreneurs Project - Overview

Working with the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Aid Sri Lanka is supporting the small- businesswomen of Matara rebuild their livelihoods after the tsunami.

When the wave hit, it washed away the equipment of many of the women working in the Matara district on the south coast. In a couple of back-to-work projects Aid Sri Lanka is assisting them rebuild their businesses. The first project helped 20 women working in bridal preparation and 60 string hopper sellers (local noodle dish) get back to work. Following the success of the first project Aid Sri Lanka is providing ten weaving machines to workers in the coir sector.

The first step of the programme provides the women with the necessary equipment and raw materials to get their business back up and running and to start earning the much needed income. The women received the equipment at a ceremony and entered into an agreement to use the goods for their business and not to sell them on. With this agreement the long-term financial stability is secured and these women have the facility to earn money to provide for themselves and their families in the months and years to come.

At Aid Sri Lanka we are keen to provide long-term benefits and assistance to the people we work with. To this end our support of these women will continue past the initial donation of goods. We will work with them to build the capacity of their businesses, providing further training and assisting with areas such as marketing, signage and business cards.