National Forum of Peoples Organisations (NFPO) is celebrating the New Year with Surath Saviyatrade fair and exhibition for the benefit of the tsunami affected people in Tangalle area. Some communities affected by the tsunami will present their products manufactured under the SATHKARA livelihood programme on 8th and 9th April at Tangalle Town Hall, Hambantota District.
We want to introduce the products of tsunami affected people benefited through our project SATHKARA livelihood programme supported by ActionAid. We expect hundreds of people for this event. It might be a good opportunity for the affected people to show their products and for the public to buy many items they need for the New Year, said Mr. Rasika Samantha, project Coordinator of NFPO.
SATHKARA programme on livelihood is an initiative funded by ActionAid International Sri Lanka. More than 740 families from 15 GN divisions in Tangalle have been supported through this livelihood programme which is focused on agriculture, sewing, coirwork, mobile business, small shops and brick making. Some of the products manufactured by these families will be available at the trade fair and exhibition. The benefits of the Surath Saviya New Year trade fair and exhibition will go for the tsunami affected people participating in this livelihood programme funded by ActionAid. Families involved in SATHKARA programme are forming small groups and saving some money on a revolving loan fund system.
This livelihood programme has given us a new opportunity to address the problems of the tsunami affected people. Listening to them and working with local organizations like NFPO, ActionAid is supporting people to get back to normal life. SATHKARA programme has made possible than more than 740 families in Tangalle area have recovered their income and this fair trade is just an example of how people want to overcome the disaster, Rohitha Welihindage, ActionAid Team Leader Pogramma Support Unit South.
