Lina Penwardus, who runs a sewing business in the northern part of Sri Lanka, was injured during a civil war in the country a few years ago. That is why he was subjected to permanent disability.
In addition to sewing for extra income, Lina also operates a three -wheeler designed for people in the wheelchair.
Lina has been provided with the International Labor Organization (ILO) under the Local Energy (LED+) project through economic development and reunion.
Lina says that when the civil war was involved in her house in northern Sri Lanka, she had to escape. He was injured and was permanently disabled due to injury.
“Even though I have faced a lot of challenges in my life, I believe that nothing is impossible. Today I am proud of my achievement,” she said.
Gratification
He said, “My family encouraged me to do what I wanted to do when I was young. I had no restrictions on me. My father taught me to get up on the tree. He used to say, continued climbing and then one day I showed it on top of the highest tree. . ”
“I finished my general level tests in 2001 and started reading nurseries in 2002. Soon, however, our house was under the civil war and we lost everything. We had to be displaced and stayed in a camp. I was injured in the 21st and this injury made me disabled. “
“At the end of the Civil War, I used to teach children in a refugee camp when a friend introduced my future husband.”
“My husband is a great poet and great artist. However, my mother was concerned about how challenging our life would be, because she too was unable.
“The first time we went out, I was pressing his wheelchair so all the people started to look at us. That day I decided that people would look strong and financially strong. Today, I think we have achieved that goal.”
“We have faced many problems after marriage. All the benefits needed for my husband were not available and it was very difficult for me to travel with him.”
“The situation of transporting people with disabilities is very bad. Bus drivers and operators think it is very difficult to offer a person using wheelchairs on the bus. This process takes time and it means other passengers have to wait. Because of this, buses often don’t stop offering us. “
“At that time I started working in a garment factory. I worked there for about eight years, but the job was very difficult. When I was working in the factory I thought why would I work for someone else? So, I saved half of my salary I decided to do it and decided to spend the rest of us.
“From the money I saved, I bought a sewing machine and started sewing at home. Was the only way to move forward for me. “
Now, sewing is my main profession. Through this I made my livelihood. Due to my preservation habits, today we are living a better life. It seems to me that I have already completed three-fourths of my dreams. “
Earn earning income by driving
“My nature is that if someone asks me that you can do it, my answer is always yes, even if I don’t know the way to work. A acquaintance asked me how I know how to run the three wheelers. I said: Yes, of course. Turn the car and I will drive it. He turned on the car. Then I asked that the gear should be pulled up or down. He said, “Keep the first gear.” I’m up to gear. After running for a while, he asked why I am not changing the gear. Then I quickly put another gear. He said: increase speed and change the gear. Likewise, I learned to drive a three -wheeler. “
“After that, everyone in the village learned that I was driving a three -wheeler car as a woman. When I first rented a three -wheeler with a rent and a passenger was sitting behind me, I was happy to think that I couldn’t say in words. Everyone was surprised to see a woman driving. “
“Of course, there are challenges in driving a Three Wheeler as a woman. Many men don’t like it. People will talk, but if we pay attention to them we will not be able to work on us.”
Women say that she feels safe to travel with me when she is. When he travels long with a man, sometimes he feels uncomfortable. They feel that they can travel safely with another woman.
“When the local three -wheeler cooperative society got the opportunity to lease the car for wheelchair users, I was elected and I became a member of the Cooperative Society.”
“There is a ramp on this three -wheel vehicle and since my husband is also unable, I was advised to give one of these vehicles.”
Power through the project
“The Cooperative Society organized a training program on individuals with disabilities and gender equality. If these training is provided in other villages, especially women who want to be empowered, more women like me can be published for this purpose. “
“Now I learned to repair three wheelers and motorbikes, learning in a mechanic training course organized for women.”
“I believe that women like me should not limit themselves. She can also learn the work of mechanics, sewing and masons. They are able to do everything. I want women to move forward and free. If other women are interested in driving the car I teach them Prepared ”.
I hope I have a big car one day. It will take time to reach this goal. This is probably possible in my old age. I want to get more education. I am interested in electric mechanics. If a company provides an electric mechanics course for women, I will be the best to join it.
Being a successful entrepreneur is another dream of mine. Finally, I would like to be able to provide employment to other people – slowly, first with one or two employment. And if it was a disabled person, it would be better, because they would face many problems in life. I am ready to improve their employment and their lives. “
“I was able to get up again in my life. But these experiences have taught me that I should not waste a moment and others should not be taken with me.