Protect girls from violence in school

Last week I had the opportunity to visit our partner organisation Bahujan Hitay Amravati and their Livelihoods Development Project. I was lucky to meet some of the amazing women who became part of the project and who have changed their life.

One lady we visited in her modest home in a slum was Varsha. She is married and has one son. She first joint a women's gathering where women can meet and exchange about their experiences. Here the BH Amravati team strengthen the women' self-confidence and inform them about their rights and opportunities. 

After the initial meetings Varsha enrolled for a "jewellery"-making training. Interestingly, she didn't continue this but instead was inspired to do something else. She remembered that she used to do noodles earlier in her life and started experimenting. Very quickly she could start to sell her home made noodles which are now very popular in the community and even beyond. 

However, since the noodles need heat to dry Varsha can only produce them in the hot season. During the winter she has therefore taken up mat making. With the mats she earns less but yet it's more than she used to have before. 

She shares: "Earlier I wouldn't have any money and had to ask my husband all the time. Also, I wouldn't go out as my husband didn't want me to. Since the project mobiliser has convinced him that the women’s groups and the training are good, my life has changed very much. Now I earn my own money, I go out without hassle and my family respects me better."

Varsha has become a small scale entrepreneur and I’m sure she’ll develop further ideas which will allow her to grow and prosper. She not only adds to the family income, supports her son's education but has also gained dignity and appreciation.

Thanks to your support.