Nayana Nandani: From Despair to Empowerment through Entrepreneurship
Nayana Nandani, a 30-year-old woman from Nochchiyagama, has faced a life full of challenges, but her story is one of perseverance and transformation. Born into poverty, Nayana was one of six siblings raised by parents who worked as laborers. Her father, bedeviled with drug addiction, provided little stability, and the family often struggled to make ends meet. Nayana and her siblings attended school without basic necessities like shoes or school bags, and by the time she reached grade 10, she had to leave school to start working at garment factories in order to support her family.
At the age of 18, Nayana married a man she met while working in a factory and moved to a rented house in Piliyandala. They slowly saved money and bought a piece of land, on which they built a small house. Their son was born when Nayana was 22 years old, but her happiness was short-lived. She soon discovered that her husband was already married to another woman, with whom he had another family. He left Nayana and their young son, plunging her into financial and emotional turmoil.
With no income and the responsibility of caring for her infant son, Nayana felt cornered. Desperation led her to become a sex worker, a path she never imagined walking, but one that seemed like the only option to provide for her son. The house she had built had a temporary roof, and didn’t even offer good enough shelter to herself and her son during heavy rain. After six years of struggling, when her son was finally old enough to be admitted to school, Nayana made the decision to leave Sri Lanka and seek work abroad.
In 2022, Nayana traveled to Jordan to work, determined to earn enough to repair her home and provide a stable life for her son. Her mother agreed to care for her child in her absence. However, Nayana soon found herself slipping back into sex work. She continued to work in Jordan, saving money and bringing back gold, but the emotional toll of being away from her young son led her to return to Sri Lanka in 2023.
Back in Sri Lanka, Nayana felt trapped once more by the grap of her former life. Her neighbors and previous clients pressured her to continue in sex work, making it difficult for her to break free from her past.
Nayana’s turning point came when the Grama Niladhari introduced her to the Janathakshan project team. Identified as a marginalized woman in need of support, Nayana expressed her deep desire to leave sex work behind and start a small garment business from home. Seeing her potential and determination, the Janathakshan project officer encouraged her to relocate to a new area where she could start fresh, free from the influence of her old neighborhood.
With their guidance, Nayana found a small house for rent and moved there with her son and mother. Using the gold she had brought from Jordan, she pawned some to purchase a sewing machine and essential equipment. Recognizing her potential, Janathakshan provided her with additional support in the form of a second sewing machine, a work table, tools, and garment materials to help her launch her business.
Nayana’s journey to empowerment didn’t stop there. Janathakshan invited her to participate in training programs and awareness sessions held in Nochchiyagama, where she learned about time management, organizational skills, and the rights of women. She began sewing pants and nightdresses, which her mother sold door-to-door. Her business started growing, enabling her to pay for her rent and her son’s school fees, ensuring he could attend a private school and study in English medium.
With the continued guidance of the Janathakshan project team, Nayana is now expanding her business by tapping into e-markets through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as well as online selling platforms like Daraz. This has helped her increase her customer base and grow her income.
Today, Nayana lives a happy and peaceful life, free from her past. She is determined to build a better future for herself and her son. With the skills she has learned through YouTube and her experience in garment factories, she plans to continue improving her sewing skills. She also hopes to hire more women to work with her, offering them employment opportunities and creating a small garment factory.
Her goal is to formally qualify in sewing through an academic course, gaining the knowledge and certification she needs to further expand her business. Nayana’s journey from despair to empowerment is a testament to her resilience and determination, and with the support of Janathakshan, she has overcome her past and built a promising future for herself and her family.
Ananda has big plans for the future. He hopes to expand his betel cultivation, knowing there is a strong market for it in his village, and he aims to cultivate pepper as well. In addition, he plans to enlarge his chicken coop and raise more chickens to further grow his farm. With his wife by his side, supporting him in all his endeavors, Ananda is regaining his role as the provider for his family
Reflecting on his journey, Ananda’s wife shared, “Years ago, he was always involved in serving the community. After his illness, he didn’t even want to come outside because he couldn’t move. He was mostly upset. But now, he’s doing well and living happily again.”
Ananda himself acknowledges the profound impact of the project’s interventions on his life. “I was frustrated and fed up. But the Janathakshan officers gave me hope again and support. Now I can manage my work and earnings without any outside help.”
Thanks to sustainable interventions from Janathakshan, Ananda’s life has been transformed. He has regained a sense of purpose and independence, and he is once again able to support his wife with his earnings, while looking forward to a brighter, more hopeful future.
