ANTIMA KUSHWAHA, RAISEN, MADHYA PRADESH

When Antima was married at a young age, she moved from one household of poverty into another household of poverty. Growing up, her father was the only breadwinner for her family of 7. In spite of wanting to study, Antima’s poverty meant she had to give up that dream. When she was married, her new home had its share of burdens. Her husband remained unemployed and her father in law was the only earning member of that family.

Soon enough, daily subsistence became more and more difficult. That’s when Antima decided to take matters in her own hands. She got to know about USHA Silai School Program from the local NGO partner and enthusiastically enrolled her name to be a Silai School women entrepreneur. After 7 days training, she opened her USHA Silai School. There was no looking back thereafter.

Her unemployed husband supported in publicizing her Silai School in neighboring villages because of whichshe also started getting girls other from other places to learn under her.

Due to her hard work in the Silai School program she was selected as an Anganwadi Sahayika in 2015 and her husband also got a post of Assistant secretary in Gram Panchayat.

With her ‘never say die’ spirit Antima and her family’s standard of living has improved. Her son is now enrolled into a school and she hopes he will lead a better life.