A Brighter Future for Sunita and Her Girls

In Jharkhand, India, Karuna-Shechen has launched an exciting new vocational training program for poor women from rural communities – painting on ceramics.

Ten villagers recently participated in our first free introductory course. Based on their skills, creativity, and personal interests, we selected four women to paint designs on pots that will be sold by Karuna-Shechen in various markets around Jamshedpur, the capital of Jharkhand.

Sunita during a pot painting class.

One of the women chosen was Sunita Mishra, a mother of two daughters, ages 7 and 12. Sunita is happy that they can go to an English language school, but quality education in India is costly.

Sunita joined the program to earn extra revenue for her girls’ education and their dowry. “I chose to participate in this ceramic painting program for my children,” Sunita says. “It is a very good program. Training is free and I am now able to save money for their future.”

Thanks to this program, Sunita and other participating women can earn an extra 3,000 rupees (47 USD) per month. In India, the average monthly wage is 295 USD.

“Jamshedpur is one of the biggest cities in north eastern India. We know from our research that there is a big market for such painted pots there,” explains Shamul Akhtar, Karuna-Shechen India Director.

“Unfortunately most rural women lack the necessary skills and knowledge to sell their products in big cities. Through this program,  not only do we train illiterate women, we also connect them to  buyers and markets.”

In Bihar and Jharkhand, our various free vocational training classes are transforming lives of hundreds of women like Sunita and her daughters. We equip them with revenue-generating skills so they can earn money and contribute to the well-being of their family and community.