Manjari Corner

Under the Entrepreneurship Development Program, a total of 75 entrepreneurs participated in the 2 batches of 3 day EDP training at Jhajjar location. Women from our Uthori Jagriti Kala Manch delivered a powerful nukkad natak on women empowerment at Shilpgram and the Fatehsagar Flower Show attended by over one lakh visitors. Our all-girls Manjari Football Club's debuted at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Football League against boys' teams. Kumari Aarti, Goalkeeper, awarded with "Player of the Match" on Day 1 and Kumari Damini named "Player of the Match" on Day 2. 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.

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.