Story of Priyanthi

The Success Story of Priyanthi and the Shanthi Women's Society

 

As we traveled to Priyanthi’s place in Welikanda in the Polonnaruwa District, we passed by canals running alongside the road and the railway running parallelly. The weather was dry and hot, with a clear sky stretching above. The roadsides were lined with trees, providing welcome shade and a touch of greenery to the otherwise arid landscape.

Priyanthi, a determined woman living in a small village of Mahawewa, nestled in the Welikanda area of Polonnaruwa, is a hardworking person. Priyanthi had been a seamstress for a long time and has been sewing clothes for her customers. However, a simple suggestion from a buyer turned her life into a new pathway. They requested her to try her hand at making leather seat covers for motorbikes. This idea sparked a new path for Priyanthi that would eventually lead her to empower not just herself but also few other women in her community.

Starting alone in 2014, Priyanthi began producing high-quality leather seat covers, soon gaining a reputation for her hard work. As demand grew, she saw an opportunity not just for personal growth but for the other women in her community. In 2022, she along with a few other women from the area formed the Shanthi Women's Society. She took the initiative to train them in sewing leather seat covers, creating a small but dedicated team of five women, all of whom are mothers with family responsibilities. Together, they worked diligently from 8 am to 5 pm every day. The bond they developed on mutual understanding and unity in the team with Priyanthi created a supportive and productive working environment.

Their workspace, a separate area in Priyanthi's home, is organized like a mini factory.  They have allocated areas for different tasks, which emphasizes the vision and leadership of Priyanthi. The workshop was built from the earnings of their business, showcasing the tangible results of their hard work.

A key factor in their success is the consistent quality of their products.  They ensure that every seat cover meets the highest standards, keeping their two regular buyers satisfied. But Priyanthi's impact extends beyond her team. She also collaborates with other women in the village, offering them the chance to sew seat covers and earn an income, thereby Priyanthi is employing other women in her community too.

Priyanthi's commitment to her work and her team is evident in her dedication. When they are in the need of new raw materials, she travels to Colombo by the at 3:45 am from Polonnaruwa, purchasing materials and leaving Colombo in the evening, all in a day.

Her efforts paid off in 2023 when FAIRMED recognized the potential in the Shanthi Women's Society. They provided the team with raw materials and a leather-cutting machine. This support significantly increased their efficiency and production capacity, enabling them to grow even further.

Looking to the future, Priyanthi wish to expand her business into making bags and shoes. She would like to receive training in these new skills, so that she can get involved even more women from her community. Her journey from a solo seamstress to a community leader is a testament to the power of determination, skill, and a desire to uplift others.

Priyanthi's story is a shining example of how one person's initiative can transform a whole group, fostering a spirit of collaboration.