09/03/2026
This is Kobini from Batagala estate, sharing her experience.
Over the last two years, four Hatton-based Women's Societies (Malarum Mottugal - Ingestry; Nalvali Kudumbam - Strathdon; Shining Star - Kuilwattie; and Vinmeengal - Battalgala) demonstrated that collective motivation among estate-sector women can translate into real economic, social, and family change.
Putting Society members in the driver's seat, they chose to work towards economic improvements for their families and estate communities by committing to a multi-year training programme on starting and managing small businesses. And the results are in.
In less than 2 years:
- 125 women started or grew small enterprises
- 150+ began home gardening leading to lower cost of living, better household food security, and spare funds being put towards their children's needs like education
Beyond economic wins, women reported improvements in the family relationships, mental and social health, with less stress, fewer fights, greater respect on the estate and freedom of movement to participate in Women's Societies and their enterprises.
This project was only ever a start with them. All four Societies are now registered Community Based Organisations, set up to go from strength-to-strength without being reliant on us. This is what community development is all about.
We're heartened by their persistence and collaboration and wish them every success as they move forward as individual women and collection action groups.
Sincerest thanks to the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives ( High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives and Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada) - without which this project could not have been realised. We are grateful you saw the value in these women and this work.
