Beyond the Waste - Journey towards dignity and independence - A Woman's story from Gamela bazar, Vijayawada.

Santhala Durga married at a very young age and unable to read or write, faced severe hardships when her husband abandoned the family, leaving behing debts incurred for their sick daughter's treatment. To support her children and repay the debts, she began working as a waste picker, often taking her children along

Through the encouragement of Shoshana's sewing instructor, Hemima, Durga joined the free sewing training program and later received a sewing machine. Today, she stitches clothes for neighbours from home, earning an income while caring for her children and sending them to school. Though her earnings are modest, she has found a path towards dignity, independence and hope.

 

Beyond the fields - A New Skill, a New Hope for the women of Angalakuduru.

For the women who come from agricultural families in Angalakuduru village, life often depends on the availability of seasonal farm work. Learning tailoring opens up another possibility - a skill they can use to earn an income and support their families.

At CDS-Shoshana, we believe that teaching a skill is more than just providing training, it is about creating opportunities and helping women take steps towards a more secure future.

We are deeply grateful to our generous donors, whose support helps make these opportunties possible.

 Shoshana sewing centre, Ravipadu.

Most of the women at our Ravipadu centre come from families that depend on daily wage work in chilli fields. Their income is often seasonal and uncertain making it difficult to support their families throughout the year.

As they approach the completion of their sewing course, the women shared why they joined the centre and what they hope to achieve. For them. learning to stitch is more than acquiring a new skill, it is an opportunity to create an additional source of income and move towards financial independence.

With a sewing machine of their own, they hope to begin taking stitching orders and earn a living especially during the time when agricultural employment is scarce.

By helping these women access sewing machines, donors can give them the opportunity to put their training into practice, earn with dignity and build a more secure future for themselves and their families. Four women from this centre are going to finish the course and all four of them need a sewing machine.

Together, we can help turn their hopes into meaningful opportunities for self-reliance.

 

Sewing Skills, New Opportunities: Shoshana sewing centre at Pedanandipadu.

Along side teaching at the centre, our dedicated sewing teacher Mrs. Sivakumari also runs a small tailoring shop. This has become an extension of the training programme, where former students can gain pratical experience as apprentices while learning the realities of running a tailoring business. For some, this experience becomes an important step towards earning their own livelihood.

During her recent visit, Silke spent time at the centre and documented the work. Her visit helped capture how a simple sewing class can grow into a pathway towards skills, employment and greater independence.

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Through the continued support of our donors, Shoshana is able to provide not only training but also opportunities for young women to build a more secure future.

 

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.