From challenge upon challenge, seeds of hope in Sri Lanka

Above: Niranjana, her husband Karunapala, and their three children, Maduni (14), Nethushika (11), Dulmi (6), in front of their house. Photo: Madara Gunawardana, World Vision Lanka

Niranjana listens patiently as her three children list off things they want, or need replaced: a toy, school shoes and a book bag.

Unfortunately, she cannot afford to meet their modest requests.

Above: Niranjana in front of her maize crop, located beneath Dehigala Mountain in the middle of the woods. Photo: Madara Gunawardana, World Vision Lanka

Above: Karunapala happily spending time with his youngest daughter Dulmi, sitting in front of their house after returning from the hospital. Photo: Madara Gunawardana, World Vision Lanka

Niranjana lives in the Bibile region in Sri Lanka, and works for daily wages at a nearby rubber plantation. This work is hard, physical, and seasonal, meaning workers do not earn a steady income.

Karnuapala, her husband, used to do the same. But life has dealt him a series of harsh blows. An accident in 2022 severely damaged one of his eyes. Because he couldn’t afford surgery, he lost his vision.

"How could I spend a large amount of money on my own operation when my children also have medical needs? Now one of my eyes is totally blind, but what can I do?" Karunapala said.

On top of this, Karunapala experienced kidney failure in 2019 and had a heart attack in 2023, so is no longer able to undertake physical work. Niranjana is now the main breadwinner of the family.

Two of the couple’s three children also have significant medical needs.

Maduni, the couple’s eldest daughter, has been battling a hormonal condition since birth, requiring ongoing medical treatment. Dulmi, the youngest, had an atrial septal defect (a hole in her heart) at birth. After surgery and treatment, she was later diagnosed with small vessel disease in her heart. Both girls require ongoing medical care and treatment, including monthly medical appointments in Colombo, about 250km away from their village.

With all these challenges, Niranjana found herself under an incredible amount of financial pressure. On top of medical costs, she had to make sure her three children received an education, and also needed to support her elderly parents.

Through RISE Lanka, the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Sri Lanka targeting food security and livelihoods in the wake of the country’s tough economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Niranjana was able to access subsidised seeds.

She decided to take a risk, leasing a piece of land to cultivate maize and stepping away from her unreliable work at the rubber plantation.

In collaboration with the county agrarian service, the RISE Lanka project, led by World Vision Lanka and Sarvodaya with the support of the Australian Government, provided her with maize seeds for one acre of land.

She now cultivates her plot with hope in her heart.

"This seed subsidy is a great support for me. I am so grateful, and words cannot express it," she said.

Niranjana's crop is showing promise. She plans to use the revenue from her first maize harvest to pay for the children’s education. From any remaining funds she hopes to afford some improvements to her home, and to purchase maize seeds for the next season. Unlike the unpredictable income from her daily wage work, agriculture presents an opportunity for Niranjana’s income to grow sustainably.

Karunapala helps Niranjana to manage the household and is taking care of their children while she tends to her crop. He still works at the rubber plantation whenever his health allows to try to earn extra income and take some of the weight off his wife’s shoulders.

World Vision has also stepped in to support the couple’s youngest daughter, Dulmi, by providing medical assistance and stationary for school.

The RISE Lanka project is supporting 249 maize farmers in Bibile, including 130 vulnerable women like Niranjana. Across the country, 4,793 vulnerable crop farmers have benefitted from the program, with women comprising more than half of participants.