Echoing International Women’s Day, this campaign highlights the inspiring journeys of women who are fighting to bring about lasting change in their lives, their families and their communities. Parina’s story illustrates this reality on a daily basis. With the support of Karuna-Shechen’s vocational training programs, Parina has been able to build her own craft business, which provides her with stability, pride and independence.
Living and moving forward in the heart of the Himalayas
Parina lives with her family in Glenburn, a far-flung village in Darjeeling district.
Talking about the daily hardships on the mountains, Parina says : « Life in the lap of the Himalayas may seem beautiful from outside, but in reality it is full of challenges; we struggle with extreme weather conditions, water and electricity shortages, and lack of transport facilities every day. The steep mountains limit accessibility to clinics, local markets and schools. On top of these everyday hardships, the volatile nature of my husband’s tea garden job made our lives immensely stressful. »
Once the flag bearers of the Tea Industry in India, Darjeeling’s tea gardens are now on the brink of collapse. For years, they have been grappling with declining yields, rising production costs, labour shortages and financial losses. The prolonged economic setback have aggravated the problem.
Although my husband has managed to retain his job, there is no guarantee of his livelihood amidst the existential crisis of tea gardens. You never know when you may be shown the pink slip. This created a stressful situation at home.
A homemaker for most of her married life, Parina had dedicated herself to raising her daughter and caring for her husband’s aging aunt, who lives with them. « As my daughter grew up, I began thinking about pursuing a job or business to ease my husband’s financial stress and job insecurity. Since I have to take care of my husband’s aunt, stepping out for work was not a feasible option for me. »
A passion turned into independence
In 2023, Parina and members of her community learned about vocational training courses organised in their village by Karuna-Shechen’s field teams in Darjeeling.
« That day my life changed » reminisces Parina. She participated in all the training courses, learning how to make pickles, soaps and candles, among other things.
I enjoyed making soaps the most, and so I decided to translate my hobby into a business. By the end of 2023, I had started selling hand-made soaps from the comfort of my house. Here again Karuna-Shechen came to my rescue by providing the initial investment through their Small Business Support program.
In two years, Parina’s soap business has become a real success with all the inhabitants of her village and the surrounding area. She even receives several online orders on her Facebook page. She now earns an average of 1,500 rupees per month.
“The perpetual stress of my husband’s job insecurity does not haunt us anymore.“
From learner to inspirational woman
Parina’s journey with Karuna-Shechen does not end there. In addition to being a successful businesswoman, she is now a vocational trainer within the organisation. She teaches soap making to communities in the villages of Manedara and Simbong, in Darjeeling.
Parina’s story is testament to the holistic development adopted by Karuna-Shechen, where the underserved communities are not just equipped with marketable skills but also supported with small business loans, and thereafter those excelling in their ventures are absorbed by the organisation as a trainer. Such a comprehensive support system gives altruism a new meaning.
Support vocational training and entrepreneurship for women
In other villages across India and Nepal, women are empowering themselves, passing on their expertise, and reshaping community dynamics. Read their stories and discover how, together, they are driving sustainable change in their environment.