{"id":1485,"date":"2025-11-05T15:57:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/?page_id=1485"},"modified":"2025-12-05T10:08:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T10:08:03","slug":"success-stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/success-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Success Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Sustainable Growth.\nStronger Communities.<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Overview<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Every successful project begins with a dream a small step that changes lives. At the Economic &\n Rural Resources Development Foundation (ERRDF), our impact is measured not only in numbers\n but in stories of transformation where rural families, youth, and communities rise above\n challenges to create better futures. These are a few glimpses into that journey.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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District: Kurunegala
Program: Rural Development Portfolio<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From a Small Farm to a Growing Enterprise<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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When Mr. Sunil Jayasooriya, a small-scale farmer from Kurunegala, joined ERRDF\u2019s rural
enterprise initiative, he had less than one acre of land and limited access to credit. With technical
guidance and a revolving development loan, he introduced organic vegetable cultivation and a small drip-irrigation system. Today, his produce supplies three local markets, and he employs three workers from his village. His success inspired 12 other farmers to adopt similar practices 
creating a community-driven model for sustainable agriculture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t \u201cI never thought my land could feed both my family and others. ERRDF gave me confidence, not\n just capital.\u201d \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSunil Jayasooriya<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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District: Galle
Program: Small Enterprise Support Program<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Women Empowerment Through Handicrafts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A group of 15 women in a coastal village near Galle, struggling after the pandemic, joined ERRDF\u2019s
Women\u2019s Enterprise Cluster. With training on product design, pricing, and digital marketing, they
launched a handicraft brand using recycled materials and coconut shells. Today, their products are
sold at local tourism outlets and online platforms. ERRDF also connected them with a microfinance
partner for working capital.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t \u201cFor years we depended on our husbands\u2019 income. Now, we run a business that sustains all our\n families.\u201d \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSujatha Fernando, Cluster Leader<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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District: Kurunegala
Program: Rural Development Portfolio<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Youth Skills \u2013 A New Beginning<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Dilshan, a 22-year-old school leaver, was trained under ERRDF\u2019s SkillLink Program in electrical
installation. After completing a six-month course and an internship with a private company, he
started his own small service business in his hometown. Within a year, he trained two assistants
and expanded into solar panel installation \u2014 making him one of the first certified rural solar
technicians in his area.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t \u201cI wanted to work, not wait. The training gave me a new start \u2014 now I\u2019m helping others too.\u201d \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Dilshan Bandara<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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District: Kandy | Program: Rural Tourism & Eco-Development<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Turning Heritage into Opportunity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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ERRDF partnered with a local youth group in a small Kandy village to develop homestay tourism
around heritage and agriculture. With guidance on hospitality, digital promotion, and waste
management, five households now host visitors from Colombo and abroad. The project not only
created jobs but revived traditional Kandyan cooking, craft-making, and farming demonstrations for
visitors \u2014 blending culture and livelihood.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t \u201cWe didn\u2019t have to leave our village to find jobs \u2014 we brought visitors to our doorstep.\u201d \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPradeep and Anusha, Homestay Owners<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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District: Monaragala
Program: Community Empowerment & Social Welfare<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Building Healthier Communities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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ERRDF\u2019s partnership with local health officers launched a nutrition awareness campaign for
mothers and school children. Over 800 families were reached with sessions on balanced diets,
home gardening, and child nutrition. School gardens now supply fresh vegetables for mid-day
meals, reducing costs and improving children\u2019s health.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t \u201cIt\u2019s not just about food \u2014 it\u2019s about dignity and knowledge. Our village learned how to care for\n itself.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommunity Volunteer<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Our Storytelling Philosophy<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Every project ERRDF undertakes has a human story behind it \u2014 one of courage, innovation, and\n shared progress. Through these stories, we aim to inspire more partnerships, funding, and\n participation, building a stronger network for rural Sri Lanka\u2019s future.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sustainable Growth. Stronger Communities. Overview Every successful project begins with a dream a small step that changes lives. At the Economic & Rural Resources Development Foundation (ERRDF), our impact is measured not only in numbers but in stories of transformation where rural families, youth, and communities rise above challenges to create better futures. These are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1485","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1485"}],"version-history":[{"count":100,"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1485\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2297,"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1485\/revisions\/2297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.zeeddigital.com\/ERRDF\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}