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Sparsh Social Foundation:Strengthening vulnerable communities by leveraging livelihood opportunities

Empowering women through livelihood generation not only enhances their financial independence but also contributes to their overall self-esteem, decision-making power, and influence within their households and communities. When women are economically empowered, they are better equipped to invest in the education and health of their families, leading to a positive effect on society.

Sparsh Social Foundation, a section 8 not-for-profit organization, is working towards creating a positive social impact by promoting both social harmony and economic sustainability in rural communities. By focusing on building sustainable livelihood opportunities, the foundation is likely aiming to empower individuals within these communities, reduce poverty, and enhance overall well-being. Creating socially harmonious and financially viable communities often involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses various aspects such as education, skill development, access to resources, infrastructure, and local economic development. It's important to consider the unique needs and challenges of each community to tailor interventions effectively.

Sparsh Social Foundation has been working on initiatives such as providing vocational training, supporting local entrepreneurship, improving agricultural practices, enhancing access to markets, and fostering collaboration among community members. By doing so, the foundation can contribute to the overall development and sustainability of these rural areas.

The Women Empowerment through Livelihood Generation Program by Sparsh Social Foundation is a crucial initiative that aims to uplift and empower women in the communities they serve. Economic empowerment is a powerful tool for promoting gender equality and social development. Through this program, women are provided with opportunities to acquire skills, training, and resources that enable them to generate sustainable livelihoods.

Sayba and Leelawati’s story is a wonderful example of how access to education, guidance, and support from the Sparsh Social Foundation and NABARD can have a transformative impact on an individual's life. Here's a summary of their journey:

(Sayba happy with her stitching profession in Tajpur Lehdwar Village)

Sayba had completed her education up to the 12th grade but was not involved in any livelihood activity post her education. With the guidance from Sparsh Social Foundation, Sayba became a member of the Roji Self-Help Group in 2019. She actively participated in the SHG and practised regular savings, which is a key aspect of SHGs. These savings help build a financial base for members to access loans and investments. In 2021, Sayba underwent a one-month training program on stitching and tailoring under the Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP) Project of NABARD. This training likely equipped her with valuable vocational skills. After completing her training, Sayba took a loan from her SHG to purchase two stitching machines, allowing her to start her stitching and tailoring business. With the acquired skills, she began her stitching and tailoring business. With her growing expertise, Sayba not only earned from her stitching work but also started training other young girls in stitching and tailoring. Sayba's hard work and determination paid off. She went from not being involved in any livelihood activity to earning a substantial income ranging from Rs. 20,000 to 25,000 per month. This significant income likely improved her quality of life and financial stability. Sayba attributes her transformed life to the support and opportunities provided by NABARD and Sparsh Social Foundation. In conclusion, Sayba's journey showcases the power of education, skill development, and community support in uplifting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. It's an inspiring example of how a combination of learning, resources, and opportunities can lead to a positive and sustainable change in someone's life.

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(Leelawati at her cosmetic shop in Shahpur Kalan Village)

 

Leelawati's success story from Shahpur Kalan Village of Amroha is an inspiring example of how empowerment through self-help groups and entrepreneurship can transform lives. Leelawati's family relied solely on her husband's income from a small shop, which amounted to around Rs.6,000-7,000 per month. This income was not sufficient to meet the entire family's needs. Leelawati had a desire to become financially independent and contribute to her family's income. She aimed to achieve this by starting her own business. She joined the Pratibha Self Help Group (SHG), which is a community-based organization that encourages members to save regularly and provides them access to financial services and credit. Leelawati applied for and received a loan of Rs.1,40,000 in two instalments from her SHG. She used this capital to start a cosmetic shop in her village. Leelawati began to earn around Rs.15,000 per month. This additional income significantly improved her family's financial situation. Leelawati's hard work and determination paid off as she became self-reliant and was able to cover her expenses, as well as contribute to her child's education.

 

These stories also highlight the importance of supporting women's economic empowerment in rural areas, as it has a cascading effect on families and communities.These stories also highlight the importance of supporting women's economic empowerment in rural areas, as it has a cascading effect on families and communities.

 

Author

Smita Singh

Smita currently finished her Masters in Economics Major. Being an introvert personality, writing suits best to her. She has vivid experience in the content area from writing research papers to writing content for various websites, blogs & stories. Smita has worked for a Patna based digital marketing company named DigiwaleBabu.