Empowering India's Rural Poor through Poultry

For Putul and her family, life was long defined by the uncertainty of the seasons. Living in extreme poverty in one of the driest locations of Chhatna, West Bengal, Putul and her husband spent their days under the sun as agricultural labourers. They knew the weight of "waiting" - waiting for the sowing season to begin and waiting for the harvest to end because those were the only times they could earn enough to keep their family afloat.

Despite the physical toll of the fields, Putul and her husband shared one unwavering goal: to give their son a different life. Every penny earned was a step toward keeping him in his school uniform and away from the hardships of manual labour.

Everything changed when Putul met our team member Rekha (one of our Livelihood Service Providers) and took a courageous leap into poultry farming. This home-based venture allowed Putul to transform her tireless dedication into a steady profit. With a vision for long-term stability, she invested her earnings from raising and selling chickens and ducks into a paddy-husking machine. This machine did more than just process grain; it broke the cycle of seasonal dependence, providing a reliable second income that shielded her family from hardship.

Today, the fruits of Putul’s labour are seen through her son’s success. The extra income now covers his education including the stationery and the books he needs to pass his exams.

Putul’s story is a beautiful testament to how a mother’s resilience, paired with a small opportunity, can turn a life of survival into a future full of promise and pride.

Thank you for your continued support for our work in India and helping women like Putul earn an a decent income, with dignity.

Namaste from the Team at Shivia