Rekha was born in a joint family, situated in Guwahati in Assam. Her family was primarily engaged in agricultural work, and had four daughters which is why they found it difficult to educate their children. Rekha aspired for a better life which she knew she could achieve through education, but her dreams were shattered when she was asked to drop out of her school after 5th grade. Her parents did not consider it important to teach their daughters as they will be married off sooner than later, and must understand household chores more than anything. She was merely a 16 year old girl, when she was married off by her parents, owing to their economic condition. Since then Rekha lived with her husband in Assam, and became a mother of two children. She wanted to find employment but felt hopeless given her educational background and skills.

Rekha’s husband decided to migrate to National Capital Territory of Delhi, in search of a more lucrative job and better education for their children. They stayed at Gopalpur village in North-West Delhi, and began their life afresh. Rekha took up work in the neighbouring houses of Mukherjee Nagar, as a domestic help. Initially, she could handle this work along with her household chores; but soon it began to take a toll on her as she could not find time to look after her children and their education. She would work at neighbouring houses, and come back and do her own household chores including but not limited to cleaning and cooking. Her husband worked at a shop, and earns Rs 12000-15000 every month. But living in Delhi, definitely led to higher expenses for this family.

This is when Rekha met with PARAS India, and was informed about Usha Silai School Program. Rekha immediately liked the idea of her teaching other women, and opening up her own enterprise. She was selected for the 7-day residential training of Usha, and received a certificate, a signboard and a sewing machine from USHA. Almost immediately after the completion of her training, she opened up her Silai School.

She faced a lot of prejudice and resistance from her community members, as they did not believe in her being an Usha Silai School Teacher. They considered her claims as insignificant and fraudulent; and were reluctant in attending her classes. Gradually, women and girls began to attend her classes and recognized her as an authentic teacher. Yet, several learners refused to pay her fees for their classes under the false impression that she already receives monetary benefits from Usha. The Sarpanch of their gram panchayat spread unreliable information about Rekha’s Silai School; he coerced Rekha to take classes of women free of cost for their welfare. But Rekha could not afford to do that given her own financial constraints. The NGO partner helped Rekha in gaining recognition for her work and skill. She is teaching 6 learners at her Silai School, and imparting the skill of stitching & sewing to other women as well. Rekha is filled with joy and pride when she is called a teacher. The role of a teacher became crucial in elevating her self-esteem & confidence. She considers ‘stitching & sewing’ as an important skill set, and is teaching her children (son (15) and daughter (10)) this skill.

But Rekha is still struggling to establish herself as a tailor, while people give her orders they refuse to pay her any money on the orders. She is a highly independent, confident and an ambitious woman who wants a much better future for her children. She is earning Rs.2000-3000 from Silai School and still works as a domestic help; but she does not want to work as a cook and a domestic help. She wants to achieve a lot more through stitching and sewing, and is looking for better opportunities.

As Rekha resides in an expensive city like Delhi, she has to supplement her earnings by working as a domestic help and a cook. But she does not want to work there, and wishes and aspires for better opportunities and more ways through which she can earn a higher income from stitching & sewing. Rekha is often humiliated and disrespected by her employers; and she is undergoing this harrowing experience only to support her children’s education. The road leading up to her one room cum kitchen house is an unpaved road often called ‘kutcha or dirt’ road. The Silai School classes are taken in her small verandah which leads up to the staircase to the road in front of her house. She dreams of a better future for her children, for a better education for these children; and her son supports her with her household chores. Her children and her husband realize that she is working hard to contribute to the education and welfare of her family.

Rekha today, does not think like her parents. She has understood the value of education and is ready to struggle to provide her children with a good education. She believes that there is no difference between a girl and a boy, and both of these genders must be made capable enough. She recalls this with remorse – only if her parents had realized the potential of women, she would be educated and much more capable today. Rekha’s life reflects the struggles of many women who work as ‘domestic help and cook’; the idea of ‘dignity of labour’ is an alien concept to the people of the country. Despite being overworked, despite struggling all her life – all that Rekha wants from her employers is respect. This is one of the primary reasons why she completely wants to give up this job. With Silai School, she understands the importance of being an entrepreneur and is looking for even better opportunities through which she could support her family without having to supplement it with ‘cooking’.

More than anything else, Rekha wants to provide her children with quality education. She, along with her husband, believe that education is going to be their salvation. It is the only medium through which they can uplift themselves from this derisory existence. Her belief is that – even if we do not have enough food, we will educate our children. Being a teacher at Silai School provides Rekha immense joy and respect; and this is what she wants to pursue. She wants to expand her venture, receive many more orders and increase her earning.

“My parents never taught me because I was a girl. But I understand today that education makes all the difference, and will ensure that my daughter and son do receive an education so that they don’t struggle the way I have.”
– Rekha