Jermegini, 26, had moved to India in 1990 due to the civil war in Sri Lanka. While in India, she stayed in a refugee camp at Kudiyatham in Vellore and learned basics of stitching and sewing. It was this skill that Usha Silai School later honed and helped her build a life from scratch in her home country.
Then came an opportunity, a 7-day training programme in sewing and embroidery at Usha Silai School in Trincomallee, Sri Lanka. After completing the course, she ventured out to set up her own tailoring business. Jermegini learnt stitching different styles of sari blouses during the Silai school training programme. Now, she is a renowned tailor in her village. She makes a variety of sari blouses and has become very popular for her signature princess cut blouse.
Today she is able to earn between 10,000-15,000 Sri Lankan Rupee per month.
When their 10 kattha (0.333 hectare) of land was insufficient to feed everyone in her family, Sangeeta decided to brush up on her forgotten skill of sewing and make a living out of it. Once she started her 7-day training at the Usha Silai School, she began learning different styles of stitching and soon became a master at tailoring women's garments.
Kushalta Ke Kadam, an initiative by USHA Silai School and NDTV has entered its eighth season. The aim is to empower more women across rural India by teaching them sewing skills and helping them open new doors of opportunities for themselves. The initiative encourages rural women to become financially independent and entrepreneurs by taking up sewing and training others in their respective communities.
Since 2011, the USHA Silai School initiative has trained more than 12 lakh rural women through over 33,000 Silai schools, spanning over 20,751 villages across India.
The women earn Rs. 4,000 – 5,000 per month on an average, with the highest recorded monthly earning being Rs. 84,000 in a month. This earning works as a catalyst towards building their self-confidence, reducing gender inequities, and raising their stature within their families and in society at large.
The USHA Silai School Program empowers women across India with sewing skills, transforming them into trainers and fostering community growth and independence
Celebrating women entrepreneurs and their handmade crafts, empowering communities through creativity at the 5th Meghalaya Aajivika Saras Mela
USHA Silai School in Ramanathapuram empowers local women through tailoring education, enabling them to build businesses and achieve financial independence
Mamata Devi's inspiring journey from hardship to empowerment through sewing training, uplifting her community and transforming lives
Women in rural India, like Geetaben and Leelaben, are transforming lives through Silai Schools and Training Cum Production Centres, fostering empowerment, skill development, and community resilience
Anwara Begum's journey with USHA Silai School in Odisha showcases her transformation into a successful entrepreneur, empowering her community and inspiring young girls toward financial independence