This is better because of my little child
For Indika, having work close by means she can combine earning a living with looking after her children, Hansika (9) and Shalu (18 months), who are pictured with the Traidcraft bus.
She used to work in a garment factory and when asked why she had changed jobs said: “This is better because of my little child.”
Although Hansika and Shalu were too shy to say anything about the bus to the Traidcraft visitors, they enjoyed playing with it – especially the little people - after the photograph had been taken!
Gospel House Background
Gospel House in Madampe, Southern Sri Lanka, seeks to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people, often with no educational qualifications. Skills training for continuing development enables many to move on to other jobs.
Gospel House stresses the importance of a responsible attitude towards the environment and a desire to respect local cultural norms. GH supports many small craft groups and through its work, many women have been trained and empowered. Tsunami-relief funds have enabled the establishment of a number of new micro-enterprises, which Gospel House has helped to resource.
Seelawathi runs a small group which is involved in the production of fair trade wooden toys for Gospel House. "This is the way we can earn a living" she says. She used to work in the Middle East. "When we came back to Sri Lanka I was unemployed, then I found this work with Gospel House. We never thought of saving for the children and grandchildren, now we can."
2012 Traidcraft | Fighting poverty through trade