From poverty to financial independence
“A big crisis came into my life when my husband committed suicide, as he was unable to pay a loan and was left with hardly any sources of livelihood for the family to survive on. I live with my two children in a small village in Latur. I was left with no option and was very helpless, when NAAM came forward and supported me financially to buy a sewing machine to start a tailoring business and support my family.

Initially I faced a lot of problems but NAAM volunteers encouraged me a lot and gave me moral support to promote my business. As my earnings improved, I gradually added more sewing machines and started stitching classes by training two other women. In a span of three years, I have trained 40 women. With support from NAAM I started getting orders from nearby talukas and villages like Latur, Beed, Nanded and Udgir. Many of these women are now working with me.

With my passion, I began adding varieties of products like mobile phone pouches, cloth bags, etc. for better income. Today I earn a profit of between Rs.25,000 – 30,000 per month, after making payments of Rs.3,000 – 3,500 to the women working with me. Both my children are continuing higher education; my son is in the 15th standard doing MPC and my daughter is in the 11th standard. I thank NAAM for the support they provided me during this critical phase of my life and helping me live with dignity in society.”

- Sheela Suryavanshi, 37 years, Latur district