Padmini Haamine

I have lots of love and respect for our Founder, Merrill J. Fernando for giving people like us reasons to smile. I am blessed to work for a company that betters the community every day. Never had a job I find so enjoyable and satisfying.

When my husband passed away, we felt the weight of life with all its problems. I raised my children as a single mother, never letting our hardships stand in the way of giving them a good education. I supplied lunch packets & snacks for nearby shops and earned a decent living. In 2012, I accompanied my daughter to MJF Centre in Moratuwa with the hope of allowing her to learn a vocation that would help her start a small business. My daughter was born with hearing impairments and learning disabilities. At the Women’s Development Programme in MJF Centre, Moratuwa, she was able to learn sewing & dress dressmaking. Today, she works with a community of young seamstresses, taking custom orders for garments. The energy & positivity of this Centre relieves the stress in me. The cleaners have a great camaraderie at work. We sing songs, share a bit of banter and enjoy a good time together.