A Stitch of hope - Shoshana sewing centre, Pandaripuram- Chilakaluripet.

For many tribal women, life comes with very few opportunities to learn a skill, earn an income or become financially independent. Shoshana sewing centre in Chilakaluripet was established to create such an opportunity.

Here, women are given free training in sewing and embroidery, encouraged to discover their own abilities. What begins as a simple sewing lesson can become a valuable means of earning a livelihood and supporting their families.

Through her documentary work for Shoshana website, Ms.Silke has been capturing glimpses of the centre and the women who are part of it. Her videos will help tell their stories  and show supporters how a small investment in a skill can create lasting change.

Behind every women learning to sew is a story, a family and a hope for a better future. Your support can help provide training, sewing equipment and opportunites for more tribal women to learn a skill and become more self-reliant.

 

Going around Shoshana medical centre, Rosy colony with Ms.Silke-Germany.

Shoshana Medical help at Rosy colony, Chirala offers timely medical assistance, basic medicines and care to those who may otherwise find it difficult to reach or afford medical services.

The people living here face extremely difficult conditions especially during the rainy season, the colony is often surrounded by stagnant and contaminated water, creating an increased risk of water-borne diseases and other infections. For families already struggling with poverty, even a simple illness can become a serious burden.

Shoshana medical help is bringing healthcare closer to the community who are mainly rag pickers and sewage workers, the centre helps people receive attention at the early stages of illness and provides reassurance during times of need.

We are deeply grateful to all our supporters whose generosity makes it possible for Shoshana to continue providing this much needed service to the people of Rosy colony.

 

Nirmala's journey - From vulnerability to Independence.

When Nirmala came to the Shoshana Sewing centre in Vijayawada, her parents worried about her future. Having suffered from polio, she struggled to walk and faced limited opportunties. They joined her in Shoshana's free sewing training, hoping it would help her become independent. Nirmala worked hard, learned the skill and gained a source of strength and security.

After marriage, her husbands' alcoholism left her carrying much of the responsibility for their family and two sons. The sewing skills she had learned at Shoshana stood by her. Nirmala began sewing for people in her community and gradually built her confidence and customers. Today she runs a small tailoring shop from her home, supporting her family through her work.

Her story shows how practical training can provide self-reliance, dignity and hope. A skill in her hands became a strength no one could take away.

This is the transformation Shoshana sewing centre hopes to create-giving women the confidence and ability to build better futures for themselves and their families.

In my recent visit to the Sewing project along with Ms.Silke we happened to visit Nirmala and I am happy to share her story to everyone. This is possible only with our loyal donors. Big thanks to all of them.

 

CDS-Shoshana Medical project - Epururpalem.

For nearly 20 yrs, Shoshana medical project in Epurupalem has been serving people in need providing free medical assistance to those who have limited access to health care.

Heart of the project is Ms.Buelarani our dedicated trained nurse. Although she is eligible to pursue government nursing position, she has chosen to remain with Shoshana to serve people. Her commitment has been a great strength to the project.

Happy to welcome Ms.Silke-Germany, who visited the project and had the opportunity to see the work and meet the people being served. Her visit was an encouragement to us and gave her a closer understanding of the importance of this project in the community.

Deeply grateful to all our donors and supporters who have made it possible for Shoshana to continue this service for nearly two decades.

 

Silke's visit to Shoshana sewing project - Gaddipadu, Guntur

For 25 years, Mrs.Nirmala has dedicated herself to teaching tailoring skills to more than 25 groups of women each group having around 10 students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

As a single mother, she worked hard to raise her children while continuing her service as a sewing instructor. After many years of struggle and hard work, she was recently able to build her own house and create a seperate room for the sewing project, a deeply emotional and meaningful achievement for her.

Her journey is an inspiration and a beautiful example of how one person's commitment can create lasting change in the lives of many making her an important part of Shoshana's legacy of helping women become self reliant.

During Silke's visit Nirmala felt emotional, remembering the many women she trained, the challenges they had overcome and the beautiful moments they shared together.

 Silke's visit to Shoshana sewing centre - Gamela bazar, Vijayawada.

The sewing project at Gamela Bazar, Vijayawada was initiated to support women from some of the most vulnerable sections of society, particularly waste-picker women and single mothers who are often treated as outcasts and face social discrimination and economic hardship.

Ms.Silke- Shoshana Germany visited the project for the first time. She is documenting their journey with Shoshana. We showed her that these women depend largely on daily income and have very limited opportunities to learn a skill or find stable employment. Through the free sewing training, they were given an opportunity to learn a practical skill that can help them earn an income with dignity.

The Gamela bazar project is not only about teaching sewing. It is about giving women who are often negleted and looked down upon giving an opportunity to rebuild their lives with confidence and hope We are grateful to our supporters and donors of Shoshana whose contribution makes such meaningful changes possible.

 

Silke's visit to Shoshana Sewing Project - Vijayawada.

One of our Shoshana members-Germany Ms.Silke and her friend Nikhil recently visited the sewing project at Giripuram, Vijayawada and had the opportunity to meet the women undergoing sewing training.

I had the opportunity to show her around the different sewing and medical projects run by Shoshana which are more than 25 years old still running with the same enthusiasm and commitment and the positive impact they are making in the lives of women and their families.

She left with a very positive impression and felt that supporting such initiatives can bring meaningful and lasting change to the community.