“I joined SEWA 12 years ago. Embroidery has been my means of livelihood ever since. I learnt to embroider as a child, but had never thought of using it to earn a living. 15 years ago my husband died leaving me alone with the responsibility of 3 children. To sustain my family I had to constantly keep migrating for work and also had to leave my children alone at home for long periods of time.


However, I could not earn enough to feed my family a single meal a day. The people in my community neglected me and did nothing to help me as in our society nobody cares for a single woman. Joining SEWA gave me the strength and confidence to live life on my own and on my own terms. I underwent training in craft and now I am an artisan producing work of global quality.


I earn about Rs.1500 to 2000 a month, staying at home. This way I am able to work and take care of my children. I have bought a small house and I no longer have to migrate from place to place in search of work. I am also teaching my daughters the art of embroidery so that they can face life independently with dignity and confidence”.