Meet Pathmini: Our Verugal Leader From climbing Palmyrah trees to support her children to leading a community-wide craft revolution, Pathmini is the heart of our Palms Together programme. Under the umbrella of Sivan Arul, she is training the next generation of artisans in Verugal, turning traditional skills into sustainable livelihoods.

Pathmini: The Leader of Verugal and the Soul of Palms Together

Pathmini is more than an artisan; she is a pioneer. As our Verugal Leader for the Palms Together programme (operating under our parent charity, Sivan Arul), Pathmini’s journey from a government training participant to a community leader is a testament to the power of resilience.

Her story began in a season of extreme hardship. As a young mother struggling to provide for her children, Pathmini took the extraordinary step of climbing Palmyrah trees herself to harvest the leaves she needed to survive. What started as a lifeline became a lifelong passion. When she moved to the Verugal division, she found a community where the craft was unknown. She didn’t just continue her work; she established a movement, teaching local youth and proving that traditional craft could meet modern demand.

Today, Pathmini leads our efforts in Verugal, mentoring dozens of women and children. She is a fierce advocate for the “business mindset,” teaching the next generation that their hands can build a future. Through Palms Together, Pathmini has transformed her personal struggle into a collective success, ensuring that the heritage of the North and East continues to thrive.

“I now have the confidence and the courage to raise my children and sustain my life through this trade,” Pathmini says. We are proud to have her leading the way.