When I was abandoned with four children, the eldest child was 13 years old. Initially I lived on the street with my children. Later I managed to build a small hut. I make a living by harvesting prawns and sea cucumbers. This is the job of many widow-headed households in this area.
We are not allowed to go to sea without the permission of the naval base in our village. Sea cucumbers are caught at night. The navy would not let us go at that time. They will allow us to go only if we clear the military camp area. If they get to know that we have gone to sea without informing them, they force us to buy them things like books, knives, glasses and flashlights. We make a living from the sea. We cannot continue our livelihood due to these kinds of interruptions by the navy.
Rosemary
Mannar
