Jaya is determined to learn to sew

Fourteen year old Jaya lives in a slum community in Pune, Maharashtra. Her mother suffers from a chronic medical condition, and the family has had to take a number of loans at usurious rates  to ensure her treatment. Her father makes around Rs. 2,000 ($ 45) per month, which is barely enough to meet the needs of the family, much less pay back the loans. The entire family is often forced to go hungry for days on end, since the money lenders demand that the interest payments are made on time.

Despite being little more than a child herself, Jaya wants to contribute her bit to the family income. However, her lack of education and marketable skills come in the way of her getting a regular income.

Jaya recently sought and was grated admission into the Basic Tailoring Class conducted by AIC. By the end of the 6-month course, Jaya will have learned many skills that will allow her to complete basic sewing projects to supplement the family income.

Jaya, however, does not plan to stop at the Basic level – she is already talking about continuing on to the Intermediate Tailoring Class so that she can learn more advanced tailoring techniques, which will enable her to take on the more demanding  projects which pay better. The tailoring instructor reports that Jaya is punctual, always participates and demonstrates a clear desire to learn and improve her talents. With such zeal for learning, we are confident that Jaya can reach any goal that she sets for herself.

Your generous donations, Tesu, Laurent (x3) and Rahul (x2) will cover the entire cost of the Basic Tailoring Course that Jaya is going through. In a few months, Jaya will be a qualified tailor, who will then be able to supplement her family income, and help raise the living standards of the entire family.

Thank you all, for coming together in support of Jaya! Your generosity has not only empowered the girl, it will make a huge difference to her entire family.