I am Mariyammal, aged 32 living at Sengurichi, Dindigal District. I have two daughters. My husband was a daily agri-coolie worker and earned only Rs.70/- per day. He was sick and borrowed money with high interest to run the family and for his treatment. Later we found that he was HIV positive. Since we were not able to provide him the necessary medical care, he lost his life three years back. Thereafter, I was ill-treated by my in-laws and forced to leave my home denying me the share of property.
As the news of my husband’s death spread in the village, I was rejected by the community. I built a small hut just outside the village and lived with my two daughters. I worked as a coolie to separate the seeds from tamarind at Rs 30 per day for every 10 kgs. I found it very difficult to run my house and my elder daughter too joined me in my work neglecting her studies
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At this juncture, SSH identified us and provided counseling, income generation support to me and education assistance to my children. With the training provided, I started my own tamarind seed separating business. I earn around Rs 150 a day now which is sufficient for me to run my house and educate my daughters too.
SSH also trained me to prepare nutritive diet with the locally available food grains for a healthy living. And now my two daughters go to school regularly and my second daughter who is studying in 11th std has scored 425 marks and gets first grade in school. I am able to repay the debts. Now my family lives with dignity and happiness and my daughters are able to continue their studies. Thank you – SSH and the staff members for giving me and my family this life!