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Matara: phase 2: training and development for micro-businesswomen

Aid Sri Lanka is helping women entrepreneurs in tsunami affected Matara get back to work.

The micro-businesswomen of Matara who are being assisted through this project continue to do well. After the initial stage of donating the equipment and materials they required to restart their business the support continues through a number of training sessions to help develop their business further.

The ladies working in the beauty and bridal dressing sector have attended two seminars. The first on salon management was a great success with attendees eagerly noting down tips on management and business development. It encouraged planning and thoughts for the future and expansion, something that these women thought they would never be able to do having lost their business to the sea a year ago. The second workshop was on beauty culture. Experts from around the island demonstrated new techniques which would allow them to expand the treatments offered and boost their earning potential.

The 80 ladies in the string hopper industry have attended seminars on accounting. As well as learning basic accounting skills they were provided with the resources to establish simple accounting systems themselves. In a month’s time they will attend a second seminar where their accounts will be examined and any further assistance provided. The women were delighted to have this extra skill and keen to put it to use.

Sureka Pubudumali who ran a school for music and dance also received assistance as part of this project. Having lost her equipment in the disaster we provided her with the musical instruments to rebuild her business. Under a year on from the tsunami she was able to hold her first full scale performance which was widely attended.

Some funds remain from this project. The Women’s Chamber of Commerce are identifying further ladies needing assistance. Pradeepa was a successful beautician from Polhena. She lost everything in the wave. Determined to get herself back in business she has been doing bridal preparation work at her home but lacking the necessary equipment she has had to send her clients to a third party for facial treatments and hairdressing. Using some of the remaining funds, Claire and Wimali, the Chair of the WCC, recently presented her with a facial steamer, hairdressing chair and hair cutting equipment. She will now be able to undertake all the treatments herself, increasing both her client base and her earnings. We hope that the remaining funds will put 8 more string hopper workers back in business.

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