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Your matched donation will help to lift widows and their children out of poverty. Kalangarai’s programs empower women through asset-building enterprises to realize sustainable livelihoods.

In 2023, Kalangarai started a new Self-Help Group named “Parasakthi” in the Vedharanyam zone. The group is very active with 17 members who attend the trainings conducted by Kalangarai. Ms. Vasanthi attended a few meetings and came forward with great enthusiasm to start up a small business in her house. In 2022, she lost her husband due to a massive heart attack. She has a son and a daughter. The boy is doing his 10thstandard and the girl is doing her final year of a bachelor degree program in commerce in a Nagapattinam college. Her daughter has been helped by Friends of Kalangarai funds to complete her studies.

In this situation, Ms. Vasanthi decided to begin a new life journey as an entrepreneur. With Kalangarai’s motivation, she was able to stand with dignity and boldness and establish her own shop. Since she got a valid certificate in tailoring, she was willing to have her own power sewing machine in her house. She received Rs.10,000 (US$118) from Kalangarai to purchase a power sewing machine and start up her business.

She works hard every day. She manages the shop very systematically. She is very confident to run the family now. She is very much grateful that her son and daughter can continue a good education because of this small business.