DPMC empowers women entrepreneurs

David Pieris Motor company Limited has launched a series of programmes to support women entrepreneurs who use Bajaj three-wheelers in their business activities. 
This initiative was launched recently in Polonnaruwa in the North Central Province and Dehiattakandiya in the Eastern Province. 
Twenty-seven women entrepreneurs selected for this programme were provided training on the operation of a three-wheeler such as safe driving, fuel saving tips, proper maintenance,etc. They were also educated on what to look for when buyinginsurance, how to make a claim,financing options available when purchasing a vehicle, equipment, or machinery for their entrepreneurial ventures. The company also gave their three-wheelers a facelift with a new paint job and required repairs. 
One of the participants, Chandima Walagedera from Hinurakgoda said, “I have a daughter and I attend to all her requirements. It was difficult for me to reverse the three-wheeler and apply brakes because my right leg is impaired. When I told officials at DPMC they made the necessary adjustments to the three-wheeler. It was a great help. Now I am able to earn a living by transporting schoolchildren”.  
Three-wheelers, in addition to being the family’s mode of transport, also provides affordable mobility for women to enter into new areas of entrepreneurship or expand small home-based businesses. It provides avenues for financial independence for women resulting in the upliftment of the entire household. It is also an alternative to women seeking employment overseas which has been found to be detrimental to the young families they often leave behind.
Shanika Jayaweera, a participant from Polonnaruwa had this story to share: “I worked abroad. One day, my clothes caught fire and I was burnt. I came back to Sri Lanka for treatment and used to hire three-wheelers to go to the doctor. It cost a lot of money. I decided to buy a three-wheeler. Now I transport children to school. I earn a living thanks to my Bajaj three-wheeler”. 
Speaking on the occasion, General Manager Jayantha Ratnayake said that David Pieris Motor Company Limited has carried out many programs to empower small and medium-scale women entrepreneurs but is now streamlining the initiative based on feedback and the requirements indicated by the participants. The company hopes to extend this island wide. He explained that the objective of this program is to instill confidence and provide skills to empower women entrepreneurs.  
Meanwhile, Deputy General Manager Samantha Silva noted that the areas selected for the initial stage of the program were mostly farming communities, and that the company intends to provide training for women three-wheeler drivers in these areas to start up their own business or scale up their home operations, giving a much-needed alternate income stream for their families.
Since most of the participants were unable to leave their young families while they attended the programme, DPMC staff ensured fun games were arranged to keep the young ones entertained. In addition, scholarships were awarded to children of the participants, and a single mother also received financial assistance to complete the construction of her house.
The next stage of the program is set to commence in Hambantota and Badulla districts. David Pieris Motor Company Limited continue to provide the support and tools to ensure that women-led businesses flourish and contribute to the economic growth of the regions.