From day laborer to role model

45-year-old Aswasini used to be dependent on seasonal labour, which is why she had irregular income to support her children and sick husband. When she became member of a Self-Help Group in Gajapati, India, she availed a loan to buy land and cultivate maize.

With guidance provided by the programme, her agricultural skills improved and Aswasini successfully cultivated maize. After selling the produce at the local market Aswasini had enough money to meet household expenses during the Christmas celebration, to support her children’s education and husband’s treatment and reinvest in the next cropping season.

Not only that: Aswasini has become a lot more confident. She’s recognized in the village as a farmer, she actively participates in Self-Help Group-discussions, and she motivates other women to take up income-generating activities. A significant change in the life of this powerful woman!