Maryillam

In the war torn Tamil society young women face problems living alone in society. Maryillam provides a safe house for young women who have lost contact with their parents. CWDR’s goal is to trace the families of these women and reunite them with their families.

While at Maryillam women are encouraged to develop their education and also gain vocational training. Women also grow many of their own vegetables in the Maryillam compound.

Many have found employment and are able to build up a savings from their earnings, while they make use of the free board provided by CWDR.

CWDR has already helped three of the women to find partners. It hopes to help the other young women at this centre to also find partners.

As of April 2007, Maryillam has given lodging and vocational training to 109 young women. Of these, 86 were able to rejoin their families. Another 11 young women found employment. CWDR helped 5 young women to find life partners and they are all happily married. Presently 19 young women are finding refuge at Maryillam.

Success stories:

Vathana lost her parents. Her brothers married and left home. Vathana and her older sister became separated during one of the many displacements that Tamil people had faced during the decades of war. Vathana was brought to Maryillam. She says she was from a well off family. She remained very reclusive during her early years at Maryillam. However, her abilities were soon recognized and she was employed at Senthalir Children’s Home. She faced another blow in her life when this home was caught in the 2004 tsunami. Presently she continues work at Senthalir and is a very well loved employee there.