From illiterate housewife to tailor

Budhkaur is a 27-year old mother of five. Her husband works as a part-time caddy at the nearby golf course, and until recently, Budhkaur was a stay-at-home housewife. As she had never attended school as a child, she is illiterate and has always wished that she could do something to supplement the family income.

Last year, Budhkaur joined the AIC Basic Tailoring Class, and spent six months learning basic sewing. Recently, she advanced to the Intermediate Tailoring Class, where her skills are being put to the test! She has become known among the group as one of the best sari-blouse stitchers, and is able to incorporate intricate beading and more advanced techniques into the pieces she makes. Already, she has filled numerous custom orders and is starting to earn a bit of money on the side, while also continuing to learn new skills through the class. Her husband, who only earns about Rs 2,000 ($45) per month, was initial skeptical of her participation in the class, but now that she has been bringing in supplementary income, has changed his opinion and is very supportive of her ambition. He is even encouraging her to continue on to the Advanced Tailoring Class once she finishes with the Intermediate course, and Budhkaur is also excited about the prospect of having some financial independence and improving her family’s economic wellbeing.

Through the women’s literacy component of the Tailoring class, she has even learned to write her name and the alphabet, which will certainly come in handy as she continues to develop her own small home-based business into the future.

Thank you, Ted and Gretchen (x 5), for ensuring that Budhkaur can learn a marketable skill and start earning money. With economic independence, her position in the household and community has risen, and she has now started asserting herself too.