SLAF Seva Vanitha in garment trade:

A gentle touch

Dhaneshi YATAWARA

When the entire world was facing a financial crisis they realised the time has come for them to be self-sufficient with a steady means of income. This is when the Sri Lanka Air Force 'Seva Vanitha Unit' planned to take an extra effort to extend their services.

"We at the 'Seva Vanitha Unit' (SVU) of the Sri Lanka Air Force wanted to extend our services to the Service personnel as well as to the general public," Nelun Goonathileke, Chairperson of the SLAF 'Seva Vanitha Unit' said explaining their future plan with great hope. "Our service was becoming quite vital for the service personnel and in order to expand ourselves we simply couldn't depend on donations from well-wishers," she said.

Novel concept

Looking for ventures, Nelun Goonatileke found the concept for a garment factory would be ideal. Thus the first garment factory was opened at SLAF camp in Sigiriya on April 02, 2009.

The 'Seva Vanitha' garment factory project hopes to provide a portion of the SLAF clothing requirement in the initial stages at a very low cost and later to expand as 'business' grows. This would definitely lower the huge cost the SLAF has to bear in providing their uniform requirements.

Thus they can save a large amount of public fund allocated for the Air Force. In return, the income will financially support all other welfare projects of the 'Seva Vanitha'.

The SLAF 'Seva Vanitha Unit' handles ten main projects including the Marian Goonathileke scholarship project for schoolchildren of SLAF servicemen and the Anula Fernando housing project, setting up of new preschools with high standards in SLAF bases and camps as well as in nearby villages and the self employment promotion project that mainly requires a lot of funds.

Under the scholarships alone each child is given Rs. 1,000 per month continued for four years and at the moment the SVU caters to 40 children.

With greatfulness SVU highlighted that most of the sewing machines were donations from the Pakistani Government.

The 'Seva Vanitha Unit' extended their sincere gratitude to all those who supported their success; sponsors, well-wishers, members of SLAF and all those who assisted.

Dedication

Most of the 21 women and men employed in this project were from the nearby villages. Each of the members embraced their job with such love and satisfaction.

Kanthi Egodawela (35), who joined the SLAF 'Seva Vanitha' garment factory after a eight year lapse from her first job at a garment in Biyagama, spoke to us with so much of happiness. Kanthi is married and has settled down in Sigiriya. But when she heard the news of the new garment factory she knew it would be a worthy cause more than a job. She values her service since her brother-in-law is also serving in the Sri Lanka Navy.

A change

Another employee, Mangalika Kumari (34), a mother of a three year old boy, has worked in a garment in Heenatigala few years back and settled down in Sigiriya after marriage. "I'm really happy with the new job because it is more a service which I can be really proud of," Mangalika added.

"We called for applications first for the employees while the construction work was going on and couldn't be employed immediately," Nelun Goonatileke added. "To our amezement all 21 have waited and I'm honestly grateful for their understanding the importance of their service," she reiterated.

Thus, the new garment factory has the willpower to create a remarkable change in the future. And while the Sri Lanka Air Force engaged in an endeavour protecting our skies these wonderful women gently continue to touch the wounded hearts and minds of nearest and dearest of these brave men with great kindness and care.