A boat builiding site in Polikandy- Jaffna Disrtict.

Upto ten boats are repaired here daily

Twenty Eight years old mahendran Mathanas applies glue to a repaired boat

There are ten females working in this boatyard.

One hundred and twenty five boats have been repaired already in this boatyard

There are ten males working in this boatyard. And most of them are below twenty years old.

"I have family burdens. And I couldn't continue with my studies. So I have started to earn to take care of my family" says nineteen years old Tharani Theivendran.

"As a female i feel very shy to wear a pair of jeans and work with men. But due to my family situation, I couln't be choosy, I have decided to work here" says tweny one years old Mary Anthonipillai.

Due to their family burdens, more and more women join the boatyards in Jaffna to find employment.

It's not an easy job for the women. But the women have decided to take up the challenge.

"I find it interesting to work here, although there are shortcomings such as not enough salary" says nineteen years old Everita Mary Suthashini.

There are ten females working in this boatyard

Thirty eight years old Kandiah Rathnamani teaches the techniques to the youngsters.

"I don't want to study further. I want to work hard and earn more to look after my family" says seventeen years old Muthulingam Thavaseelan.

Boats destroyed by the tsunami are being repaired

Final touch for the boats

Thirty eight years old Kandiah Rathnamani measures to repair a particular part, which was damaged.

The correct measurements are being taken

Eighteen years old Rathnamai Gokularasan working in the Polikandy boatyard

Boatyard in Polikandy

The firewood is an essential item in Jaffna Peninsula for cooking

The cadjans are used for fence in Jaffna Peninsula. And the coconut stalks are used as firewood.