When Kailash Gajjar lost her husband to a heart attack, she wondered how she would take care of her family on her own: “I was worried as to how I was to live my life with two kids.”

Kailash was identified by the team in Gujarat, supported by Share & Care and SMECT, as a candidate for the project’s vocational and empowerment training. She opted to enroll in the 12-week catering training program, and upon completion, she received her own catering equipment free of charge. Kailash began her own catering business and now earns around Rs. 25,000 monthly, enough to provide for her family and educate her children. Plus, she now provides job opportunities for other women in her community to earn a living.

Manjulaben Nareshbhai Pujara earns a living in Gujarat through animal husbandry. She is a founding member of the Shrinayth Mahila Bachat Mandal (savings group), which was formed in 2012 in association with the Anjali Society for Rural Health and Development, supported by Share & Care. These groups allow members to take loans out of the shared savings in order to start or improve their businesses. Manjulaben has taken (and repaid) loans from the group many times to buy buffaloes and cows to increase her income. She currently has 18 animals, and the financial support from the savings group has helped her construct stables and take excellent care of her animals. Manjulaben is financially independent, netting Rs. 10,000 per month in profits, and is able to meet her needs through her hard work and dedication.

Saroj Gurjar is a 21-year-old woman from a rural area of Rajasthan. Her family of seven is supported only by her father’s farm work, and their financial needs often go unmet. Saroj has been interested in creative activities since childhood, and she learned about the Grameen Vikas Shodh Evam Takniki Kendra (GVSTK) program, supported by Share & Care, in November of 2021. There, she participated in various workshops and learned about many of the issues facing her community, particularly the lack of access to menstrual products among women and girls in her village. These products were unavailable in her village, and women had to travel 5-7 kilometers to purchase them at a great expense.

Inspired to get involved, Saroj participated in a two-day training and learned to make sanitary napkins, as well as how to source the raw materials, operate the necessary machines and tools, and market her products. Working with other women who participated in the training, she has produced 250 packets of sanitary napkins, earning an income of Rs. 8,750. Saroj’s entrepreneurial spirit has helped her grow and become more independent, allowed her to support her family, and helped provide much-needed goods for other women in her community.

Upasi Devi, currently living in the Singhpur village of Uttar Pradesh, wanted to attend school when she was younger. However, due to family circumstances, she was unable to and was married at 12 years old to Akhileshwar Mahto. She worked with Akhileshwar in agriculture, but after they had four children, their financial situation became strained. She became involved with PRADAN, an organization supported by Share & Care, that offers programs dedicated to training local agriculturalists about integrated natural resource and watershed management.

Through these trainings, Upasi learned the best practices for managing her farm and beginning her own fishery to increase her family’s income. After implementing the recommendations, Upasi’s farm and fishery now generate an additional Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 annually. This income growth has helped Upasi become financially independent and support her children and grandchildren with their educational expenses, enriching the lives of the entire family.

Juguntara is the eldest of three children in her family living in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Her father left when she was in 10th grade. With the help of her uncles, she was able to complete her intermediate studies, but since it was her responsibility to manage the household expenses, there was no hope for schooling beyond that. In her village, many girls were learning embroidery skills from MWS, supported by Share & Care. Juguntara joined the center in hopes that it could help her earn an income for her family. She began learning, and eventually, she mastered the intricate designs. Her success and desire to help other students allowed her to become a trainer in the center, and she is now earning a comfortable salary, able to support her mother and siblings. Her financial independence also allowed her to complete her education and earn a computer diploma. Her mother and siblings are so proud, and she is well-respected as an embroidery trainer in her community.

Neelu Prajapati is the eldest daughter in a family of six living in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Her family farms on a small plot of land in the Mijwan village. When COVID-19 struck, her father, who worked in construction in Dubai stopped earning money, and at the same time, her mother was diagnosed with a serious illness, requiring costly tests and an urgent operation. Neelu had previously joined the embroidery training program at the Mijwan Welfare Society (MWS), supported by Share & Care. When faced with these difficult family circumstances, Neelu realized that she needed to take charge of the family, especially their income. Through the program, she was able to receive the mental, social, and financial support she needed to become the backbone of her family. She was offered a large embroidery order to help boost the family’s income. Additionally, she received support as she took over her mother’s office position to earn more money and safeguard her mother’s position for when she recovered. With this support, she has been able to earn Rs. 25,000 in two months to aid her parents and siblings.

Lubna Qazi, from Srinagar in Kashmir, was a shy college student lacking confidence. She courageously enrolled in the Saamarthya Leadership Misaal Program, supported by Share & Care and Oasis. Each day, Lubna was able to do something new that helped build her confidence and overcome mental barriers she had in place. Through the program, she was offered the opportunity to volunteer to conduct the programs’ classes at a boys’ school and an orphanage. While she was initially reluctant to step out of her comfort zone and volunteer in new and unfamiliar places, especially ones that were so far from her home and family, Lubna persevered. She continues to give back and participate in Oasis’ programs, becoming a regional leader in her city and helping other youth develop their leadership skills. She credits Share & Care and Oasis for helping her become a stronger, braver, more independent person.

Sonal Chaudhary and her husband Mohan are both physically disabled and live in rural Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. She always found her disability challenging in many aspects of life, but it was particularly challenging financially. Sonal learned about Women Empowerment, supported by Share & Care and the Saurashtra Medical & Educational Charitable Trust (SMECT), and she immediately realized what a ray of hope it could be for her family. With Share & Care’s support, Sonal received 12 weeks of vocational training in embroidery, and upon completion, she received her own embroidery machine to begin working independently. She is now leading a dignified life, earning a comfortable income of Rs. 20,000 per month. The vocational training she received, as well as the additional training on budgeting, banking, and gender equality, have empowered Sonal and transformed her life. 

Annapurna Parmar lives in the lepers’ community on the remote outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Her father died of leprosy a few years ago, her mother and grandmother are beggars, and her brother sells goats to support them. Annapurna struggled in school due to instability in her home life, eventually dropping out in 10th grade; however, she was exposed to the arts through the Loving Community Center, the arts community established near her home. There, she learned to love dance and was discovered by ashram volunteer and musician, Nimo. He mentored her in the arts and encouraged her to resume her education. 

Annapurna re-joined the 9th grade class at Ashram Vinay Mandir School, supported by Share & Care and the Sabarmati Ashram Project. There she strengthened her educational foundation and successfully passed grades 9 through 11, while also excelling in dance. She had the opportunity to travel across the globe, performing in front of thousands of people as part of Jai Jagat Tour. Annapurna is now in 12th grade and is excelling academically and eagerly awaiting the opportunities available to her. She hopes to attend college next year and looks forward to her bright future and chance at a better life.