Kamala Takes Her Life in Her Own Hands
Overcoming Tsunami Trauma
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- A sewing machine can make a change in life: A small-scale business helps this Sri Lankan woman to re-start her life after the tsunami. © CBM / Lohnes
Kamala is a 27-year-old Sinhalese Buddhist woman who lives in Kudawella. Kamala lost her 3 year old son in the tsunami. When the water came in an uncontrollable rush, she remembers that she held her son but somehow she dropped him or someone took him when she fell down.
After the tsunami she couldn’t talk properly, she was unable to sleep or eat, and she wanted to be alone, avoiding others, most of the time, she was sleeping or crying. She couldn’t comprehend what had happened or the change that the catastrophe brought to her life and her family. In addition to the loss of her son, she lost all her property, including a sewing machine, with which she had worked in a garment factory for three years before the tsunami.
After the tsunami she couldn’t talk properly, she was unable to sleep or eat, and she wanted to be alone, avoiding others, most of the time, she was sleeping or crying. She couldn’t comprehend what had happened or the change that the catastrophe brought to her life and her family. In addition to the loss of her son, she lost all her property, including a sewing machine, with which she had worked in a garment factory for three years before the tsunami.
More Courage and Confidence
Kamala showed strange behaviour and was directed for psychosocial treatment provided by Basic Needs Sri Lanka, an NGO that provides mental health care and a partner to Navajeevana. Kamala received treatment, and, in addition, took part in a sewing programme, that Navajeevana had started in July 2005. There, Kamala received 4000 rupees per month as payment. The material cost of the programme was covered by CBM’s partner. Kamala and four other women sewed 480 school uniforms that were distributed in November 2005 among the tsunami-affected students of Kudawella.
After the programme closed, Kamala was able to keep the sewing machine to start her own business or develop an existing one. She mentioned that she really enjoyed working in the project; her fear of returning to social life was overcome for certain extent. Now she said that she has more courage and confidence to start her life again and live among other people.
After the programme closed, Kamala was able to keep the sewing machine to start her own business or develop an existing one. She mentioned that she really enjoyed working in the project; her fear of returning to social life was overcome for certain extent. Now she said that she has more courage and confidence to start her life again and live among other people.
New Plans: Start A Business
Presently, Kamala is working in a sewing shop in Kudawella, and she hopes to start her own business with the sewing machine she received from CBM’s partner. However, she states that she needs further sewing trainings and some help to initiate the business. Therefore, CBM’s partner is planning to provide further vocational training for people with disabilities. Kamala is looking forward to a new life with new hope.
Read on: Focussing Persons With Disabilities
Further information: Other Steps to Rehabilitate Kudawella
Go back: Focussing on Persons with Disabilities
Read on: Focussing Persons With Disabilities
Further information: Other Steps to Rehabilitate Kudawella
Go back: Focussing on Persons with Disabilities
