Uplifting the economy of poor families

Arunalu Community Development Foundation forwarded a proposal to the Economic Cooperation Section under grass-root human security projects (GGP) of the Japanese Embassy in December 2009.

The project was designed for the introduction of fish dryers, used in converting raw fish into dried fish & Maldive fish, to a higher quality maintaining its hygienic condition among the fisheries community in Kudawella, where the majority survive by the fisheries industry.

Although the fisheries fleet, specially women use remaining fish in the industry, they were not able to supply a quality-wise product due to the lack of technical knowledge and also due to certain issues that had arisen in the marketing field, further as imported products had patronized the market, they had not been able to get a better price for their products as expected.

This Arunalu Community Development foundation, for the first time in the district of Hambantota introduced this dryer under the technical support and guidance acquired by integrated Agriculture development foundation. The special dryer converts raw fish into dried fish within 3 days and Maldive fish within 4 days, maintaining the highest quality. PHI?in the area has granted his fullest recommendation in this regard.

The project has introduced 20 dryers along with specially designed equipment for the drying process, family economy of 150 members are benefited by the project. The organization has already held discussions with EDB and would seek provision in exporting the product in the near future.

Arunalu Community Development Foundation was able to form a CBO in Kudawella, the project area and thereby has created a surrounding among them to proceed with their tasks without the indulgence of the organization in the future, nevertheless shall continue to do necessary feed backs and guide the community even after the project period.

Let us express our deepest thanks and gratitude to the Japanese embassy and special thanks to the Japanese community who took part in collecting the sum of US $ 39,773.

Further let us once again express our deepest thanks to Miss Berni Yatawara, former Senior Programme Officer (Economic Cooperation Section) and also to her successor Miss Lasantha Jayawardhana for providing her utmost guidance so as to convert the programme to be a successful one and also shall not forget to express our thanks for the cooperation provided by Miss Miwak Shinno, Consultant, grant assistance for grassroot human Security Projects (GGP) (Economic Cooperation Section) further more shall express no less to the entire staff of the Economic Cooperation Section for the guidance and support provided in accomplishing the expected goal in this project.