Manjari Corner

In a move to boost rural economic development, Manjari Foundation have officially signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika). This 5 year partnership will identify 10-12 high-potential enterprises and move them from local initiatives to market-ready businesses. A two-day training program was organised at Dariba location focusing on capacity building, teamwork and field skills for the group sakhis. Financial literacy training was conducted in Bhaldia, which included money management, savings, investment strategies, and maintaining income-expenditure balance. Information was also provided about Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. In collaboration with RSETI, Manjari has trained thirty rural women from Batheda Khurd village, Mawli on artificial jewelry making.

Ashayein – building hope

“Ashayein” is a Hindi word which means “Hope”. Those who manage to have hope regardless of their hardship, are the ones who succeed with flying colours.

27 year-old Sughna is one such individual whose family faced several hardships in Pakistan before they migrated to India 20 years ago. She is a resident of Bheel Basti(society), whose population is dominated by immigrants from Pakistan, most of whom who have now attained Indian citizenships. Sughna however, is still waiting for her citizenship to come through, and it is her strong sense of hope that keeps her going.

A mother of four, Sughna, like most women in her community got married at an early age and could not complete her studies. She passed 10^th standard from Rajasthan State Open School (RSOS) but her household chores and responsibilities towards her children took precedence. As a result, she had no time for her personal development.

Manjari Foundation took a personal interest in converting Sughna’s hope into reality. Through the Second Chance Education Programme supported by Pradan and UN Women in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, Sughna is attending regular meetings and counselling. She has enrolled in class 12 exams,and hopes to fulfil her dream of being literate.