Pratibha was a young woman who lived in a small village in rural Maharashtra. She had always dreamed of a better life, but she felt trapped by her circumstances. Like many other women in her community, she faced numerous obstacles, including limited access to healthcare and opportunities for skill development and employment. While women's empowerment was a topic widely discussed in urban areas, rural women like Pratibha living around the Jalna and Aurangabad districts of Maharashtra, struggled to make ends meet and provide for themselves.One day, Pratibha heard about a new program that was being offered by the Ashish Gram Rachna Trust. The program, in partnership with Social for Action, was designed to empower rural women by providing them with skills training and employment opportunities. Pratibha was immediately interested, and she applied for the program.
Going The Extra Mile For Rural Women
The Trust began by developing comprehensive health initiatives and vocational training programs for women in 53 villages of the Jalna district and 36 villages of the Aurangabad district. These programs aimed to provide women, including pregnant mothers and adolescent girls, with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead healthier lives.
However, the Trust knew that they could do more to create a lasting impact. They decided to start employment-oriented sewing training classes, with the goal of making women self-sufficient. This initiative received a heartwarming response, but the Trust faced a financial hurdle in expanding these training centers.
Fortunately, Social For Action's crowdfunding platform came to their rescue. Just when the Trust needed assistance and funds to start four new sewing machine training centers in selected villages, the Praveen Masalwale Charitable Trust from Pune stepped in and provided the necessary funds.
Pratibha was accepted into the program along with eight girls and 11 women, and she began training to be a seamstress. She worked hard, and she quickly learned the skills she needed. After completing her training, Pratibha was able to find a job at a local clothing factory. She was now able to earn a living of her own, and she was no longer dependent on her husband.
A life of herself, for herself, by herself!
Pratibha's story is a powerful example of how the Ashish Gram Rachna Trust is empowering rural women. The Trust is making a real difference in the lives of women like Pratibha, and it is helping them to achieve their dreams.
Pratibha's newfound independence gave her a sense of empowerment that she had never felt before. She was able to contribute to her family's income, and she was no longer at the mercy of her husband. She was also able to make new friends and build a social life.
Pratibha's story is a reminder that even small changes can have a big impact. The Ashish Gram Rachna Trust is making a difference in the lives of rural women, and they are helping to create a more just and equitable world.
Every three months, a fresh batch of 20-25 girls and women enrolled in the training center, ensuring that more women had a fair chance at empowerment.
Going The Extra Mile
Witnessing the power of Social For Action's 'Act For Education' initiative on Pratibha’s life and that of other women, the Trust went the extra mile to address other women-oriented issues in the villages. They provided improved facilities in schools, better toilets for girls, and access to digital e-learning facilities.
Through collective efforts and the support of numerous individuals and organizations, school-going rural girls were given the opportunity to learn and thrive.
Social For Action, through its crowdfunding platform, played a vital role in expanding this initiative, thanks to the generous donors who supported the cause. With the continued efforts of the Trust and the support of the community, the future began to look brighter for the rural women in Jalna and Aurangabad.
About Social For Action
The Sakal Social Foundation, a part of the renowned Sakal Media Group, spearheaded this social change with its innovative online crowdfunding platform, 'Social for Action.' The platform aimed to address challenges in rural areas and facilitate rural development through public participation and corporate social responsibility.
Various philanthropists, IT companies, and corporate organizations joined hands to provide much-needed funds for NGOs working towards the betterment of society in Maharashtra. With overwhelming responses and collective action, fourteen voluntary organizations across rural Maharashtra made a significant impact through the 'Social for Action' website.
To enable NGOs to fulfill their initiatives for the betterment of rural communities, Social For Action encouraged interested individuals, philanthropists, IT companies, CSR Corporates, and Non-Resident Indians to visit their website and contribute. Donations could be made directly through the platform, and every donor would receive a donation receipt and a 50% income tax rebate certificate of Rs 80.
For those who preferred making an online donation, they could transfer funds directly to the bank account of the Sakal Social Foundation, with transaction details sent to the provided WhatsApp number.
Contributions That Created A Lasting Impact
The story of Pratibha and the women in Jalna and Aurangabad exemplified the power of collective action and the positive change that could be achieved through social initiatives and community support. Through Social For Action's platform, individuals and organizations came together to transform lives and create a brighter future for rural communities in Maharashtra.