Karthiga's Story

December 18, 2007

"My husband is a labourer. My family depends on his income. I have three children who are attending school. My daughter Karthiga is 13 years old. She has been suffering from arthritis for the last seven years. She takes tablets daily, and I spend Rs.80 every day for the tablets. After the tsunami it was so difficult, as we found it very hard to live on the little income my husband earned," says Kamala, Karthiga's mother.

"Therefore, in order to invest in business of making mixture packets [of food], I obtained Rs.5,000 ($45). I am now able to buy tablets for my daughter with this new income and that is a big relief," was what Kamala said after six months of receiving assistance from Save the Children. Karthiga tells us, "I am getting my regular treatment because my mother can now afford to pay for the medicine. My health has improved and I am able to go school everyday." The family has now started another business, weaving baskets, which gives them a better income. Save the Children was happy to see Kamala's husband also helping in the business.