Rising from Trauma to Triumph

Vasuki’s Journey

After escaping an abusive marriage, Vasuki received counselling and livelihood support through the EU-DESTINY Project. She now runs a poultry business and food service, earning over Rs. 30,000/month. Confident and independent, she’s rebuilding her life and planning to open a restaurant.

Vasuki, a woman from Thonikal in the Vavuniya district, grew up in a loving family surrounded by her parents and siblings. Her childhood was joyful, and she was full of hope as she pursued her higher education. During her studies, she met a man and entered into a relationship with him. At the age of 20, she married him against the wishes of her parents, believing it would lead to a happy life.

However, her marriage quickly turned into a nightmare. Her husband was deeply suspicious and abusive, both emotionally and physically. He confined her to the house, isolated her from the outside world, and harassed her even during her pregnancy. The situation became unbearable, and when Vasuki expressed her desire to leave the marriage, her husband responded with violence. One night, he harassed her severely and wrote degrading messages about her on the bedroom wall. This traumatic incident pushed her to report him to the police. Following her complaint, he abandoned her, and Vasuki joined with  her parents’ home, broken and silent.

Vasuki fell into deep emotional distress. She never left the house, did not interact with neighbours, and avoided wearing good clothes. Her only focus was on her newborn son, who was also diagnosed with a heart condition, adding further strain to her already fragile state.

During the identification process of the EU-funded DESTINY project implemented by FOSDOO, a Women Development Officer referred Vasuki’s case to the project team. The staff visited her, listened to her story, and recognized the need for immediate psychosocial support. A trained psychosocial counsellor was assigned to her, and through several counselling sessions, Vasuki slowly began to regain her confidence and emotional strength. With ongoing encouragement and regular visits by FOSDOO staff, she expressed her willingness to start a livelihood to support herself and her family.

She was enrolled in a livelihood and skill development training programme along with 19 other women. After completing the training, she developed a business plan for poultry farming. FOSDOO provided the initial start-up support, and Vasuki began raising chickens and selling eggs. The income from her small business gave her a renewed sense of purpose. Motivated by her progress, she expanded her efforts by preparing lunch parcels for local government staff, and later added dinner parcels for other community members. Her combined income soon exceeded Rs. 30,000 per month. Vasuki proudly says that she is no longer dependent on anyone. She supports her parents, ensures her son’s medical and educational needs are met, and actively participates in a Self Help Group in her community. She dreams of one day opening a restaurant in Vavuniya and is working toward that goal with determination and hope.

Vasuki often reflects on how a small intervention helped her in a tremendous way. She is deeply grateful to the European Union and FOSDOO for supporting her journey from trauma to empowerment. Her story stands as a powerful reminder that with the right support, even the most broken lives can be rebuilt, and women like Vasuki can rise to become strong, independent, and inspiring members of their communities.