Eastern Muslim women benefitted from Caritas
Caritas EHEAD recently inaugurated an initiative they implemented to introduce the value of organic farming to people, show them how healthy it is for now and the future, and develop their economy. Some equipment and tools for cultivation distribution also took place. “Healthy vegetables and the good economy” were the benefits we got, the women said.
The new community market for income generation was opened last Saturday, June 29, in the Batticaloa-Iyankerney area by Sister Deepa Fernando the Head of the
Sustainable Peace and Justice Unit of Caritas Sri Lanka, representing the National Centre and Melani Manel Perera, Sri Lanka Correspondent of ASIA News Service.
“Creating a healthy society that does not consume poisons and to be a strength for everyone to live peacefully together socially is the ambition of our CAFFOD project” after opening the community market, the director of Caritas – Eastern Province Human and Economic Development Center Father S. L. Jayanixon stated.
Several Muslim women of Iyankerney village, who were very excited about their latest life support, expressed their joy as follows;
“Today is a very happy day for us. Today, for the first time we opened the market to sell the harvest we have cultivated for so long. Sinhala and Tamil, Muslim
priests are with us on this occasion. The Director Father of Caritas EHED and Sister Deepa of Caritas Sri Lanka who have developed our unity between Muslims and Tamils and who have given us life energy, are also with us. So it is a very beautiful scene” said several Muslim women while sharing their views with joy.
“For a long time, we used to eat poisonous foods, although they looked beautiful. We got sick after eating them. But because of this organic farming that was introduced to us, today we and our children eat fresh vegetables that are not poisonous. I feel very happy to see these non-toxic and healthy vegetables brought from our gardens for sale today” Zulfika, a Muslim woman living in Eravurpattu, told Mojo News.
“We will continue this gardening. Similarly, we are telling everyone to start organic farming in their own garden without eating poisonous vegetables and eat them and live without getting sick,” Zulfika invited others also.
Hamzia, another Muslim woman, praised that through this organic gardening project introduced by the Caritas Eastern Province Human Economic Development Institute, their relationship has grown, and their economy has also grown to some extent.
“From now on, our children were lucky to eat organic vegetables. Also, we were lucky to strengthen our economy at a time of economic crisis. Therefore, today we were lucky to make some savings. Therefore, we would like to thank Cafford Project, Caritas Eastern Provincial Human Economic Development Institute, Director Father Jeyanixon, and Caritas National Institute for these benefits,” said Hamzia.
According to the Director, Father Jeyanixon, 31 Muslim women in Iyankerney village, Batticaloa are benefiting from this Cafford project, and the organic gardening project was started in January this year.
In Iyankerney village, the Muslim women’s home garden crops consisted of beans, eggplants, green beans, okra, drumsticks, a variety of green leaves, and peanuts,
all of which were seen selling quickly.
Fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural equipment used for cultivation were also distributed among them in order to continue their cultivation activities successfully.
Also, the Buddhist, Muslim, and Catholic priests from the local areas together with Caritas National Institute participated in the opening of this new community market. Venerable Dambagalle Vanarathana Thero, Director of Eraur, Al Madrasathul Muhammadiya K. M. M. Kabeer Moulavi, and the Chenkaladi Parish Priest Father Nihastan Peterz addressed the congregation.
M. M. Kabeer Moulavi, praising the great efforts made by Caritas for his community, said that ‘many years ago even in the Holy Quran has mentioned the use of non-poisonous organic food. ” Our Prophet Mohammad has also indicated that not only Muslims, but all people should maintain good health consuming organic food that is free from poison”. he added.
“We ask you to continue working together in your cultivation, in the market, and in any other activities. The only thing Caritas can do is to provide you with the financial strength you need and guide you. Using them peacefully to strengthen your economy and develop unity among you is a task you must do yourself,” appreciating the enthusiasm and commitment of Muslim women said the head of the Sustainable Peace and Justice Unit of Caritas National Centre, Sister Deepa Fernando.
END.
