Empowerment through skills training

Shivani Khilari (3)

Shivani Khilari, from Shenvadi village in India, was only able to compelte her education until grade 12. Because two of her older brothers were also studying at the same time, her father could not pay the tuition fees for her to further her studies. With only grade 12 it was difficult for Shivani to find employment .
Her father is a farmer and also has a small grocery shop. The yield from the farm was minimal and it decreased from year to year due to continuous drought in the region. Due to their poor economic situation, Shivani could not afford to learn fashion design to start a business and help to support her family.
When Mann Deshi Foundation’s staff reached her village, Shivani used the opportunity and enrolled in the Young Girl’s program. In live skills she participated in the digital financial literacy in which she learned about the usage of an ATM and e-wallet for completing digital transactions and about the importance of personal hygiene through the health and hygiene workshop. In the livelihoods training she learned about bangle making and the repair of electronic appliances .
Today she has the skills to repair home appliances of her neighbors and her friends and she makes bangles which she sells in her father’s grocery shop. She has started earning around 500 rupees a month and keeps 50 rupees for herself and the rest she gives to her mother to help her with the household expenses.
I am glad that I can help my family, says Shivani.