Despite developing strong tailoring skills, the reality of her situation did not change. Like many women trying to start or grow businesses, Iresha faced structural barriers:  no collateral, no credit history, and no access to affordable loans or digital financial services.  She stayed stuck in contract work. Her dreams of establishing her own establishment remained out of reach.

That changed when she learned about the Digital Financial Inclusion for Youth Economic Empowerment Project, part of Education Above All Foundation's Silatech programme, which provides access to financial tools and support for young entrepreneurs through Sejaya Micro Finance in Sri Lanka.

With her first loan of 50,000 rupees, Iresha purchased essential sewing equipment. Encouraged by her progress, she secured a second loan of 80,000 rupees helping her to expand further. When one of her machines broke down, she applied for a 10,000-rupee digital loan through the Pasio mobile app, and received the funds the very next day.

“I couldn’t believe how easy it was,” she says, “When I applied today, the money was in my account the next evening.”

With access to finance, Iresha’s business took off. Her monthly income grew from 7,000 to over 40,000 rupees. She doubled production, took on  bigger orders, and bought her own transport, a vehicle and two bikes, which gave her the freedom to manage her supply chain independently.

“Before, I had to borrow transport to collect materials. Now I do everything myself,” she says. “That’s the kind of independence that changes everything.”

Her impact extends beyond her household. Iresha now employs another young woman from her community, paying forward the support she received. Through the Pasio platform, she has found new clients, learned digital marketing techniques, and sourced better-quality fabric, all from her own home.

“That’s the beauty of it,” she reflects.  “We can work, support our families,  and still take care of the children.  “This support gave me that chance.. A way to earn without giving up my role as a mother.”

Iresha continues to build her future, one stitch at a time, experimenting with new designs,  strengthening her tailoring brand, and investing in her children’s education.

“In the beginning, I had nothing. But if you work hard, and get the right support, you can grow,” she says. “As women, we can go forward.”

The Digital Financial Inclusion for Youth Economic Empowerment Project aims to reach over 89,000 young people in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and India, removing barriers to financial inclusion and supporting youth-led businesses. In Sri Lanka, where economic uncertainty and limited access to formal credit continue to hold young people back, this model of support has proven transformative.

Looking around her small, neatly organised workspace,  with piles of folded garments and humming machines, Iresha beams with pride. 

“I am five steps up from where I started,” she says. “Now I run my own business.”