Name: Pushpani

Location: Galle District, southern Sri Lanka.

Pushpani’s coir business is booming and she has become a respected leader in her community.

‘I have been involved in making traditional coir yarn since I was a young girl. After marriage, I started my own business making yarn and collecting yarn from others. Then the tsunami struck, destroying everything I had.

I met SAPSRI staff who helped me rebuild my business. I obtained a loan of 45,000 SLR, which I used to buy ten coir yarn machines and employ ten people. I also used the money to buy yarn and provide coir as well, which means I can give the CBO members a larger profit margin. I buy the yarn at 35 SLR per kilo and sell it at 40 SLR keeping a profit of 5 SLR. With the money I received I could buy a 1,000kg load of coir and hire a vehicle to transport the coir as well as the yarn I purchased, using the same vehicle.

My income is now around 14,000 SLR per month. My husband bears the household expenses, and I pay the water and electricity bills and pay for the three children’s education. I plan to save something for my two daughters.

I am also Treasurer of my CBO and work as an advisor to the cluster. I consider this as a great achievement. I have gained more respect in the community as a result, and I have also learnt to manage my business and finances more efficiently. I have received training in leadership, and now I work with the community with patience and understanding. I am very proud to say that I have been appointed as an official of the Coir Federation. ‘