The Via Village story begins at the end of the war. Much of the island is in repair but the northern Vanni area is still struggling.
Job options are all but nonexistent for young widows with small children, especially if they’ve lost their extended family. If they can get there by bus, there’s a garment factory 20 miles away but openings are scarce and there’s often no one to care for the kids.
Via Village started with a search for a handicraft that requires no machinery.
As owners, the women developed a textile, created a gorgeous product, generated sales and achieved economic independence.
