Educated in Sri Lanka, Selina Kumar went on to study in the Philippines and the United States. She then returned to Sri Lanka to work with underprivileged children. After a 26-year civil war in Sri Lanka left thousands widowed, homeless and without livelihoods, Selina wanted to help smallholder dairy farmers out of poverty. She created something sustainable that would help her community, and her journey began with encouragement from Ian McInnes, CEO of Tearfund in New Zealand.

Selina is now the CEO and driving force behind Yugashakthi, Tearfund’s partner in Sri Lanka. A social enterprise working to open sustainable markets to farmers and deliver profits back to them, Yugashakthi was established from Tearfund’s post-war dairy expansion programme. The project teaches locals about keeping animals and gardening, providing information on breeding, feeding, animal health and growing food. Tearfund has been behind the project by offering technology and training, as well as much-needed support as the scheme grows.

The project started with just 15 farmers making an average of $10 per month and has grown to over 4,500 farmers making an average of $150 per month. In 2019, the model transitioned from a not-for-profit charity model to a business model, with the enterprise is now adding value to milk by producing cheese, curd, yoghurt and ice cream.

Selina has recently been in New Zealand to update and thank the people and businesses who have supported the scheme.