Meena (name changed to protect identity) is a 35 year old widow and resides in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She lives with her in-laws and young children and has always been engaged in household work and other domestic chores. Hailing from a conservative community did not expose her to the outside world. Her husband was engaged as a driver and earned enough to fulfill the families’ needs and requirements.
Meena was engulfed with worry when she lost her husband to Covid. She had to provide her children with nutritious food and quality education. “What can I do to earn a living?” “How will I cope with this Herculean responsibility?”
She then heard about the skill development training programme at AWAG. She joined the skill development training and learnt to stitch dresses, blouse, petticoat, purse etc. By virtue of the training, in addition to sewing skills, her level of confidence increased. New set of skills and a sewing machine have given her the strength to earn INR 3000-4000 per month through the orders she receives for stitching.
Her earnings help provide nutritious food and quality education to her children.