USHA Silai School Empowers The Women Affected By The Lockdown During COVID-19 Crisis
With 23,265 USHA Silai Schools present in 12,858 villages across all states and Union Territories in the country, more than 6.7 lakh women have been able to enhance their skills. They have become empowered and financially independent. Here is how the initiative is helping those in need, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meet Sunita Devi Kumawat, 37-year-old Silai Hero, USHA Silai School. She and her husband Nathu Lal Kumavat used to work as daily wage labourers and shifted to Bagru a few years ago, a small town close to Jaipur, penniless in search of jobs. She took up stitching and got trained at USHA Silai School. In 2016, Sunita became an entrepreneur and also started training other women. Sewing machine paved way for a better future for Sunita and even opened doors to Lakme Fashion Week 2018 as she worked on a fashion label with 31 other USHA Silai School women.
Cut to 2020, when the pandemic hit India and a strict nationwide lockdown had to be imposed in order to contain the spread of the virus. Because of the lockdown, many people lost their livelihood. But for Sunita, the work didn't stop as she continued working and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these unprecedented times, she took up stitching masks. With courage and determination, Sunita was able to earn about Rs. 1.3 lakh during the pandemic.
