At USHA International Ltd., our mission is to empower women with the vocational skills they need to achieve financial independence and personal growth. Through our initiatives, we're witnessing a remarkable transformation in family dynamics—more equitable gender roles, reduced domestic violence, and enhanced community engagement are just a few outcomes. The USHA Silai School exemplifies this change.
In the heart of Ariyalur, a quiet revolution is underway, reshaping how women view themselves and how families relate to one another. The USHA Silai School is not just an educational program; it's a movement for social change.
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Meet Mrs. Menaka, a few years ago she was constrained by traditional gender roles and economic dependence. Today, thanks to the USHA Silai School, she is a beacon of change.
Menaka says,
"I run an USHA Silai School in Tirumalapadi. The job opportunities here are limited, primarily to agriculture and contractual labor. Yet, since the school opened on March 1, 2021, more than 120 women have learned essential skills like tailoring and stitching, turning their lives around.”
Menaka's commitment has resulted in her earning Rs. 20,000 a month from her Silai school. This financial independence has drastically shifted her family's dynamics.
Menaka Shares,
"My husband quit his job as an ambulance driver to assist me with the school."
Together, they took a loan to buy a tempo, which they've repaid from the school's revenues. Her husband, V Nagaraju, now plays an active role in their business.
He said,
"I support my wife like her left hand; she's the right hand in providing for our family.”
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He helps with sewing machine maintenance and sourcing materials while co-managing their fruit juice shop.
Menaka's influence reaches her children too, who now see her as more than a homemaker; they recognize her as a decision-maker and key provider. Her success illustrates the program's impact—transforming women from passive figures into active contributors to their families.
Menaka also dreams of expanding her business. She shares,
"I want to take on larger projects to create job opportunities not just for myself but for my students as well.”
Her vision encompasses opening mini Training Cum Production Centres to support women throughout her community.
The USHA Silai School is about much more than learning to sew—it's about uplifting lives and catalyzing community change. Each woman empowered creates a ripple effect that strengthens not only families but entire neighborhoods.
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In Ariyalur, women like Menaka are challenging norms and building a brighter future. The USHA Silai School is teaching women how to dream, rise, and forge new paths. By empowering them, we lift entire communities, proving that when you empower a woman, you enrich the world.
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