By Action Village India | Registered Charity
Project Udhaan (meaning “to give wings”) was initiated in the Mhow block of Indore district, Madhya Pradesh, with the aim of supporting 180 indigenous girls and young women to move away from reliance on informal and irregular daily wage labour, to break the poverty cycle. Over the past two years, the programme has combined skills training with efforts to build confidence, support the development of small enterprises, promote climate-smart practices, and strengthen women’s participation in local governance.
As the project is in its third year, the emphasis is shifting towards consolidating these gains and ensuring that progress is sustained beyond the life of the programme. MSSN, recently shared the inspiring story of Dhankunwar Pawar, whose participation in a skills training programme has helped her establish her own small business and earn an independent income. Dhankunwar had always been interested in beauty parlour work. When MSSN introduced a two-month beauty parlour training programme in Badgonda, she eagerly took the opportunity to develop practical experience in eyebrow shaping, facials, makeup and other beauty services.
Putting her new skills into practice, Dhankunwar opened a small beauty parlour from her home. Although business was initially slow, word gradually spread throughout her village, bringing a growing number of customers. Today, she earns approximately 4,000–5,000 per month, with particularly strong demand during wedding and festival seasons. Her earnings are helping to cover household expenses and improve her family's financial security.
Dhankunwar's story, shared by our partner MSSN, demonstrates how access to practical skills training can create opportunities for women to build livelihoods, strengthen their financial independence and shape their own futures. Through our partnership with MSSN, Action Village India supports grassroots initiatives that empower women to develop new skills and build more secure livelihoods.
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