After the 2004 tsunami reshaped the southern coastline, many women were left without livelihoods, stability, or a way to rebuild. In 2007, the Marie Schlei Association (MSV) of Germany joined hands with AOF – WEEL to bring renewed hope through the “Athwela” project—aptly named “support” in Sinhala.

SV, founded in memory of former German Development Minister Marie Schlei, had long championed women’s economic empowerment. Through a LKR 29 million contribution, they helped establish livelihood centres across Matara, Galle, and Hambantota. These centres became vibrant community hubs where tsunami-affected women could learn, produce, and sell under one roof.

Athwela introduced a wide range of training—food processing, sewing, handicrafts, coir products, agriculture, horticulture, cosmetics, beauty therapy, ornamental fish rearing, and treasured regional crafts like beeralu lace-making. Women also learned modern marketing concepts, new product innovations, and how to access wider markets, giving them the tools to restart and grow their incomes.

Even after the initial project period ended, AOF continued supporting these programmes until 2023, ensuring that Athwela remained more than a post-disaster response—it became a long-term pathway to confidence, entrepreneurship, and resilient livelihoods for hundreds of southern women.