Berendina’s “Sahana” – Livelihood Assistance and Dry Ration Distribution Initiative to its clients

Berendina, an organisation that supports the people in hard times since its inception in 1992 in addition to its normal poverty alleviation work, has allocated Rs. 85 million to “Sahana” – a special livelihood empowerment and dry ration distribution initiative responding to COVID-19 crisis.
Under the Sahana initiative, Berendina commenced distributing turmeric seeds, yam seeds, seed ginger, cassava stems, plants such as banana, coconut, Bangkok guava, cashew, papaya, spine gourd, pepper, tea and also Bee keeping among its micro finance clients to restart their livelihood activities. This will also enable them to be direct participants in increase of domestic food production, the organization said in a media release.
The “Sahana” – Dry Ration distribution initiative officially commenced at Viharakallanchiya, Anuradhapura on June 2. This project is one of the biggest dry rations distribution projects of the country to support Berendina’s 83,000 micro finance clients from 11 operational districts.
Keerthi Gamage, Additional District Secretary - Anuradhapura District was the Chief Guest of the inauguration ceremony, Gamini Senarathne, Divisional Secretary MaNuPa, - the Guest of Honour while Jagath Godakanda, Chairman, Berendina Micro Investments Company Ltd, represented the organisation and distributed dry ration packs to BMIC (Berendina Micro Investments Co Ltd) clients in the Viharakallanchiya area. 
Another distribution ceremony of livelihood intervention was held on June 17 at the District Secretariat Office of Kilinochchi under the patronage of Ms. Rupavathy Ketheeswaran, Government Agent, Kilinochchi, who graced the event as the Chief Guest and distributed coconut plants to the clients were present at the event. Berendina officials also conducted field level distribution in three locations namely, Selvanagar, Mavadiyamman and Mukkampan.

Picture- Ms. Rupavathy Ketheeswaran, Government Agent, Kilinochchi, is seen distributing a coconut plant to a participant