I am Mrs. Oviyam aged 47, a native of Viraganur village of Madurai district. When I was childhood my mother was expired and due to poverty situation, my education ends only with 4th standard. I had four brothers and five sisters. Due to my family condition, I was forced to marry at the age of 14. Both I and my husband were working in bricks kiln unit and getting regular income of Rs.250-300 on weekly basis. I had two sons and one daughter. At that time, my husband left me and got second marriage. No relations were supporting me and everyone felt as a burden in caring me. I had a fear on my life and had lost my confidence. At that time my first son was studying 5th standard. I have attempted to commit suicide in a well. On seeing my attempt, my children started screaming.
At that time, one old man saw me and saved me.. That old man’s wife counseled me and promised me to take care my children. The elder son was taken care by the old lady and I took the other two children along with me for the brick kiln. Apart from this work, I have also gone for cooking and vessels cleaning in nearby houses and used to get food and clothes from those houses. Most of the day, I have foregone my food to spare my children. In this situation, one day I heard about Kalanjiam and joined in Annai Thersha Kalanjiam on 05.11.2004. I started my savings with Rs.100 from day one. When i joined in Kalanjiam, I have not owned a proper house with two sides’ wall only remaining two sides; I used my sarees to cover up. So, I first decided to stay in a safe house.
Hence I took Rs.2000 as a loan from Kalanjiam and constructed the wall. This made me very happy and secured. Though I used to get work then and there, I could not provide my children a quality food and cloth. After completing my first loan, I have taken Rs.3500 as second loan for celebrating the Deepavali function. That was the first time; my family had worn new clothes and quality food. That was the happiest day in my life and so green in my memory.
As a Kalanjiam member, I used to attend the various meetings organized by the federation. In one such occasion, I was attending the livelihood meeting with respect to skill building. On the same day, I was fortunate to watch a TV programme on the women entrepreneurship. On getting inspired by these two programmes, I got motivated to utilize my existing skill on bride decoration with different hairstyles and cooking varietal dishes. Immediately, I have started to work on it and got few orders in and around my villages. Through that I have started getting additional income of Rs.3000 – Rs.5000 per month. Due to my sincerity and commitment, I have got more orders with higher earnings.
I had one habit, whatever good things I have been hearing from my federation or any of the kalanjiam members, immediately I would take into action to improve my life. One such occasion, I heard that there is a school that runs with free of cost and for the children of deserted women. My poverty made me to send my two sons for wage employment under construction works. But, for my daughter I have planned to provide education. I have admitted her in that school in Kodimangalam. Now she has successfully completed catering technology education and earning Rs.8000 per month.
Unfortunately, my daughter was affected by heart disease and that was a rude shock to me. At that time, I was working as servant maid in a doctor’s house. They have advised me to take my daughter for surgery in government hospital. She was admitted there and her surgery also completed. During that time, I received Rs.15000 from Kalanjiam and Rs.10000 from outside for meeting the medicines and family expenditures. I was unable to go for work for three months as I was supposed to take care my ailing daughter in the hospital. In this period, my outside debt got increased and I was unable to manage it. Day by day my family burden has increased and I understood that only by crating livelihood assets only would help me to manage the cash flow in a sustainable manner.
. I borrowed a loan of Rs.10000 from Kalanjiam and also received four goats from government. With those 8 goats, again I started my life with full confidence. I also went for NREGA work, construction work, seasonal work like decorating bride and cooking. Slowly, the income started coming to my family. Day by day the no. of goats has got increased. By selling these goats, I have closed all my outside debts apart from managing the day to day family needs. These livelihood assets have created a self-belief in my life. I had a land that belongs to my husband. After he left me, I continuously fought with him and got that land. To construct my house in that land, I received another loan in Kalanjiam for Rs.30000 and now I owned a new house. The older one, I gave to my elder son and I started living in this new house with my younger son and daughter.
I had a practice of doing special savings in Kalanjiam apart from regular savings. Through this, I purchased three sovereign of jewels for both me and my daughter. Then, I got the loan of Rs.50000 from Kalanjiam for her marriage and completed my duties successfully. After my son’s marriage, I asked them to go separately so as to make him as a responsible person. I always advised my sons that they should take care my daughter-in-laws properly and ensure good cloth, shelter and quality food. They should not suffer like me. My sons have also used to share their spouses that “My mother has not taken proper food when we were childhood” and now it is our turn to take her and with proper food”.
I always had one wish that I should not depend on anyone till my death. I am ready to do any kind of work. Some days, due to my ill-health, if I take food from my sons house, I feel unhappy. I had only one desire that I need to work hard upto my death for my food and needs. Now, I take care my granddaughter and give all facilities to her. I also did life insurance and health insurance to take care my medical expenses. I always want to be independent and support to my children whenever they needed. Now, I had only one responsibility that my daughter again faced heart issues and live with me due to her health issues, with the help of Kalanjiam, I want to resolve my issues as soon as possible.
All my sorrows and poverty has gone except my daughters’ ill-health. I had one good habit that I am good listener and learner. Whatever I learnt from Kalanjiam and from my neighbors, I immediately take the good things and practiced in my life. Through this only, my daughter completed catering technology, I started diversified livelihood to ensure sustainable income. If we are working hard with quality, I am sure that you will get your income regularly. Except two times, I have never borrowed loan from outside. I practiced to spend within my income. It’s true that Kalanjiam has given that confidence for sure.