From domestic servant to a skilled tailor
Jamna Khatik is a resident of village Putholi, Chittorgarh. She started working at the textile centre 2 years ago, when it was in its infancy. Prior to joining the Textile Unit, Jamna Khatik worked as domestic help and spent her leisure time doing simple needlework. One fine day, she heard that Manjari Foundation was going to start textile unit, and she decided to join it.
Jamna’s family has always been supportive of her and as soon as she started working at the textile centre, they chipped in to help in household chores. The new job gave Jamna a sense of pride and dignity that earned her respect and status, not just in her home but in the community as well.
Jamna’s achievements:
At the unit, Jamna was able to upgrade her skills and learn many new things. Today, she is an expert in making masks, kurtis, palazzos, tote bags, sling bags, pillow covers and card holders.
“I have learnt a lot at the unit. Initially I was lagging behind when I joined but I didn’t give up and over time, my speed has improved from 50 to 500 masks per day. My dream is to create my own stitching centre where I can give employment and teach other Sakhis, allowing them to enhance their social position in society.” says Jamna.
From an earning of Rs. 4000, Jamna’s income now ranges between Rs.20,000 and Rs.25,000 per month. With her earnings, she was able to open a Fixed Deposit to secure her children’s higher education. In recognition of her dedication and accomplishments, Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Executive Director of Manjari Foundation, presented her with the Best Production Person Award.
About our textile units:
One two textile centres are located in Bhilwara’s hamlet of Agoocha, and in Chittorgarh’s village of Putholi. A total of 50 rural SHG women are involved in manufacturing at both locations. Before being employed at the factory, the SHG women receive elaborate training that allows them to sharpen their knowledge and skills.
During the first lockdown, they made masks for the first time. As time passed on, these ladies honed their skills and added new products to their rapporteur such as kurtis, shirts, palazzos, vegetable bags, roti covers, sling bags, dangris, card holders, and many more products.
Micro-enterprise is helping women realise dreams:
Many rural women have improved their social and economic position as a result of their involvement in the textile centre. When they were just homemakers, they had no dreams, but today most of them have aspirations and are working extremely hard to make them come true.Some want to build their own home, while others want to provide better education for their children and support their husbands who lost their jobs during the COVID pandemic. Some are saving money for their children’s weddings, while others aspire to buy their own automated sewing machines.
