By DEBADUTTA DASH | Secretary, Sukarya USA
Rukshana has worked for Sukarya for 10 years as a Village Coordinator and was one of the founder members of Khushaal Women’s Self Help Group. She has shown commitment, reliability and dedication both to Sukarya and the community in which she works. For the past few years Rukshana has also been teaching women within her community how to grind, pack and label cereals and spices. She also helps in SHG capacity building by training other women how to work as micro-entrepreneur using their savings through regular inter-loaning SHG activity and how to avail bank loans through the bank linkages developed for the SHG. She is the main co-ordinator for our recently launched project, she distributes the work among these women, providing them with extra income, independence and confidence.
Rukshana, 46, is the eldest of 6 children. Married at the age of 21 through an arranged marriage, she lived with her husband for just one week before the trouble began. During that time her husband demanded more dowry from her family. He told Rukshana that he would only live with her if she could arrange this extra money which she couldn't. Unable to re-marry due to her cultural bindings, this is where she has remained ever since. She now lives alone after both of her parents passed away and all her brothers and sisters were settled. Despite all these challenges, Rukshana has dedicated her life to helping her family members with their education and well being. She is an integral part of the community in which she lives, demonstrating independence and resilience and acting as a great role model for other women.
“For under-privileged women like us, it is very difficult to raise capital for any production activity as the indigenous money lenders charge very high rate of interest. We are thankful to Sukarya to help us with the training and post training assistance to set up village outlets and production units for cereals, spices and pickles. The SHG members enjoy the profit of their hard work by keeping the capital in a cash or kind mode for re-investment purpose".
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE
‘I want to help others and especially help my brother's children in completing their education.’
MESSAGE
‘Always meet your challenge and if God closes one door he will open another. Do not lose your courage.’
EXPECTATION
‘I love to stand on my own two feet and help others to live with self respect.’
-- Ruksana from Khushhaal SHG [Self-Help Group]
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