Real Life Stories Part 2

Continuing with our previous post on "Real Life Stories", here are inspiring stories of Reenu, Neerlata and Pushpa on how Indha became a platform for empowerment for these three women. Read on...

Reenu: At, the age of three, Reenu experienced the loss of her father, after which, she and her brother were left in the sole care of their mother. Her mother worked hard, selling milk, to support the family. With her meagre monthly income of Rs 1000-Rs 2000, she tried to make ends meet and educate her children. In order to support the family, Reenu joined the Kaligiri Training Programme right after completing her tenth standard, a year back. She always showed an interest in stitching since childhood and loves the feeling she gets each time she makes something. She has stitched more than a 100 bags and her favorite is the “Sapna Bag”. Today, she earns Rs 1500 a month for the work she does at Indha.
Life seems a lot better for her today. Her mother is not alone shouldering the household responsibilities, Neeru is right by her side!


Neerlata always had one desire in life, to be able to financially support her parents and three sisters. Her father is a government official and earns Rs 5500 a month. But that was not enough for the sustenance of such a large family. Thats when Neerlata joined the Kaligiri Training Programme six months ago. At first, stitching seemed to her a difficult and complicated procedure. Understanding different stitches puzzled and confused her. But after practicing everyday, her stitching has not only become faster but also swifter. She loves stitching salwaar suits for her sisters and mother. And the extra income she earns supports the education of her three sisters.
The way Neerlata concentrates while tailoring is amazing. A tailoring machine, thread and a beautiful piece of cloth and she is all set. 

Pushpa: 20 year old Pushpa was sitting idle and clueless at home after completing her tenth standard. Her father had retired and the family was facing a lot of problems managing their finances. Pushpa's elder sibling's education had to be discontinued as the family simply could not afford it. This was an ultimatum of sorts and Pushpa decided to take charge. She then decided to pursue a vocational training programme to acquire a skill that would help her become financially empowered. 

About a year back she joined our Kaligari Training Programme, where for the first six months she devoted herself to learning different techniques in stitching and tailoring. She enjoyed tailoring immensely and stitched even after going back home. She has stitched over 100 purses and many other items.

Today, she earns Rs 1500 a month at Indha and supports her family's finances. This has given her a new lease of confidence in her abilities and in the knowledge that she is an important pillar of the family.  

Indha at York University Campus

Remy Hans, a 3rd year International Studies student at York University, Canada and a volunteer at Literacy India last summer recently organised exhibitions for Indha at the two campuses of the University- Keele Campus and Glendon Campus.

The exhibition received a tremendous response from the students. Here's what Remy had to say about it...

"Voila!!!! It was a success. Everyone loved the bags especially the Sarla, Anita and Sunil (Wooden Ring bags). It was amazing to have got a great response. I've noticed that students here are very sensitive towards such issues. They bought tons of stuff because it was for a good cause! People do care!!! I felt proud to be associated with such an organisation who strongly advocates women empowerment. My day was made as the response was amazing considering we haven't had such exhibitions/fund-raising events over the past year at Glendon. Most of the students and professors are extremely excited as they would be buying lots more next week."

You can also read more about this exhibition here

Real Life Stories Part 1

Indha means different things to different women. For some, its finding a new leash of confidence, for some its financial power, for some its self-identity and to some it means becoming a pillar of strength to their family. But to most its the hope for a better future. Here are real stories of real women who found hope through Indha.

Santosh a widow at the age of 23 and a mother of two is working hard to overcome the challenges of her life. Educated till class 10, she is keen to learn things quickly because that means she can earn her livelihood with dignity. She is very hard working and has been associated with Indha for the last 6 months. During her six months training she has learnt how to make paper products. She is also gaining experience running the Indha store at Bajghera. She is a true example for all the widows out there who lose hope after losing their husbands, the chief wage earners of the family.


Nisha is only 20 years, the only earning member of her family. After an accident 1 year ago, her father was no longer able to work for the family. As a result, the responsibility of all 5 members of her family fell upon her. After 2 years of hard work, Nisha is now an instructor in the tailoring centre of Literacy India at Daultabad and spends the rest of her time making fashionable bags for Indha. She is easily one of the best craft women Indha has. At such a young, she has achieved what very few can, thanks to her resilient spirit and self confidence.


Manju Devi, a 45 years old house wife migrated from Bihar along with her husband and 6 children to live in a slum of Saidulajab village area. Her husband began work at a local ‘Dhaba’ earning around Rs.2200/- per month. The family has been facing severe financial problems ever since they moved and find it difficult to make both ends meet. Literacy India enrolled Manju Devi in the tailoring classes under the Janani project. She is quite regular and has picked up the basic skills. It is expected that she would be fairly proficient within a couple of months and would be able to put her skills to use by stitching clothes, thereby contributing to her meagre family income. There are enough opportunities in the nearby locality where she lives and Manju has expressed her confidence in getting stitching orders. This exposure has given her the confidence to face the hard ships the family is facing. Manju hopes and believes that she has improved her chances of a better future after her course at ‘Janani’.

A Church Exhibition for Indha

They say compassion knows no boundaries. And this was exemplified when sisters in Italy(Rome, Isca) and Poland came in droves to purchase our Indha products.
Sister Rene organised Church exhibitions across these locations to fundraise for Literacy India by selling INDHA pouches and the clutch purses amongst the sisters.
Many thanks to you Sister Rene!

Indha, a platform for empowerment

Life is identical for most Indian women. The moment a Girl Child is born, parents worry about her getting married. She grows up without much education and empowerment. Her own identity takes a back seat, first in her parents' house and then when she gets married and moves into her husband's family. She wishes to provide for her family and her children, especially during a financial crisis but rarely knows how?
INDHA is a platform that addresses that need....its GIVES THEM THEIR IDENTITY, EMPOWERMENT AND CREATIVITY ...The woman rejoices seeing her craft, colors in her learnings.........and is AMAZED at what she is capable of.

Watch this space for the individual achievements of these ordinary yet resilient women. There is a story behind each of these faces.