SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR WOMEN (Bhagini & Shakti Livelihood Program)

Girls need the freedom to choose their own destinies. Education and empowerment is the key to achieve that.

My mother is an Illiterate but she taught me that a woman's most empowering weapon is education. I encountered a rigid upbringing by my Father, the sole breadwinner of the family and my mother had no voice of her’s. My father gave me everything except freedom. Many girls, who were expected to get married at a certain age and, in doing so, call an end to their educational life. Their career paths were not decided by them and, in many cases, they didn't have a career. I’m no different from them.

VIDYA gave me confidence that I can, not only take care of myself but also take care of my family too. My dreams came true! I have joined VIDYA as a trainer and I speak to girls and inspire them to enrol in courses. By talking to friends and cousins about my own experience, I hope to have sowed the seeds of change. Often, it just needs a spark of inspiration.

I want men to accept women as independent souls. I feel mothers should take the step of educating the boys i.e. they don’t need to take care of their sisters, the sisters have the ability to care for themselves. The change should begin at home!
Ambuja
My new life, My Freedom

Kokila completed P.U.C. with commerce as majors, despite the hardship that life has put her in. It is her fierce fight against all odds that made her the confident woman that she is. Although she got enrolled in B.Com., she could not pursue her graduation, as her family forced her into marriage.

It was not an easy childhood for Kokila and all her four siblings, for they lost the father, the only breadwinner of the family at a very young age. The illiterate mother of the children, had done all kinds of menial jobs, and left no stone unturned to keep the kitchen fire burning. Despite the poor mother's desperate efforts, she could not succeed in providing the family with even the essentials. Kokila, from her end, also worked as a domestic help and handled tuitions in her leisure time to support and prevent the family from falling apart.

Kokila, feels that even her marital life is not a peaceful or a happy one. She had to undergo a lot of emotional turmoil, as her husband considered her useless as she is not a contributing member of the family financially, until recently.

Life is strange and full of surprises. It rains, when there is sun, and flowers bloom despite the withering autumn. After coming to VIDYA, she says "my life changed for the good." In her own words, "VIDYA taught me to live life with self - respect." She used to think that her life is over and there is nothing much left in her small life. She even contemplated ending her life, as there was neither life nor hope in her life.

VIDYA, she utters passionately "gave me a ray, a streak and a big flash of hope" and now she is learning a lot. She started work with an production house for making jewellery. She is making crochet toys and is in the position to contribute to the family income. She is an “extremely happy person" now, and always tries and yearns to learn new things. She is a confident person now and is motivated and inspired to achieve. She also helps take classes in tailoring in VIDYA Shakti program. Kokila, now wants to "dream big and bigger".

She is planning to join the Tally course at VIDYA. It is impossible not to be inspired by girls like Pratibha, who’s a part of the VIDYA Shakti Livelihood Programme. She’s affected by infantile paralysis, and yet she is always the first one in class, attends regularly, and enthusiastically participates in the events and activities.

She hopes to master English and works towards being an independent woman. I am deeply touched by her resolute spirit. My desire is to see every woman we mentor to be employed and to gain independence and dignity”
Kokila J.C
Dream big and bigger