“Sui-Dhaaga” is a popularly used Hindi word, which means needle and thread. Sewing as an activity has ensured employment for millions of people across the globe. The Second Chance Education Programme implemented by Manjari Foundation and supported by Pradan and UN Women is facilitating skill development of women as a means for rural transformation. Baran as a district is quite backward in several aspects and this is the reason why it is regarded as an aspirational district by government of India.

In October 2019, Manjari Foundation took the Second Change Education Programme to several villages in Baran district of Rajasthan. The beginning was not easy and mobilising women was a challenge. Being a new geographical area, women wouldn’t trust us easily, and hence a lot of counselling and regular meetings by our Saarthis (CRP- Community Resource Professionals) was required to address these trust issues.

We prepared batches of women aspirants and helped them complete documentation formalities. A total of 34 women were selected for sewing and stitching training and these women were subjected to a month-long in-house training programme at the Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute at Baran.

Post completion of this training which took place in December 2019, the women felt confident and ready to take up sewing assignments and employment. Hence, Manjari Foundation approached Rajasthan Spinning and Weaving Mills (RSWML) which resulted in an interview of 17 women candidates. All of them were shortlisted for a job. For the first three months, these 17 women would work under probation and be paid a wage of INR 256 per day, while being provided accommodation and other allowances.

After successful completion of probation period, the women will be eligible for salary of INR 9265 per month with accommodation and other allowances. This is massive leap for rural women, from being housewives to having s respectable job. This reflects the true power of “SUI-DHAGA” in addressing poverty and laying the foundation for a brighter future for the women of Baran.

Manjari targets to reach out to another 100 of such women in the coming year. Tamannah, a 20-year-old beneficiary of this initiative says, “Thank you Second Chance Education Programme for making a difference in my life. Words fail me in expressing my gratitude. With opportunities like these, I am sure that the outlook of society towards women will change in due course of time. I wish for more women to join Second Chance and change their lives for the better. ”