SULTANA, MEERUT, UTTAR PRADESH

When Sultana was widowed at the young age of 22, her life seemed very bleak. Her in-laws had thrown her and her two young children out of the house and she couldn’t even get two meals for them. But soon, it would all change.

One day, Sultana came to know about USHA Silai School program from her village Pradhan and USHA coordinator. Showing keen interest in learning to stitch, Sultana enrolled for the program. She wanted to financially become independent and fend for her children. After learning to sew, she opened her USHA Silai School. Her community and her family opposed her attempts in the initial days. Not the one to give up, Sultana persevered and continued learning and teaching. Her enthusiasm and her positivity coupled with her determination soon impressed everyone around her. More and more women and girls now began enrolling in the school. Sultana has trained 31 women, with 2 women still learning.

Today, 16 years after she was widowed, Sultana earns an average of Rs 5000 per month and has even saved some of it for her daughter’s wedding.  With her hard work and positive attitude, she’s managed to change her destiny.