Economic Growth India Project #53717

Sustainable Livelihoods for Deafblind Adults

by Sense International (India)

Sustainable Livelihoods for Deafblind Adults

Project Report | Nov 10, 2025
Threads of Change

By Shivkumar Sharma | Project Leader

Through skill training and family-based support, our project is helping deafblind adults in India earn a living and live with dignity. During this quarter, the livelihood programme continued to promote economic independence for adults with deafblindness and multiple disabilities. Through vocational training, financial literacy, and mentorship, participants learned practical skills in tailoring, candle-making, and other trades. Families were also engaged to provide support at home, ensuring long-term sustainability of these micro-enterprises. This quarter, we celebrate Mamoni from Kolkata, who turned her love for stitching into a sustainable livelihood.

Mamoni, a 30-year-old woman from Kolkata, lives with multiple disabilities but possesses a strong will to become self-reliant. Before joining Sense India’s programme, she was financially dependent on her family, with limited access to opportunities or government support.

With the help of Sense India and its local partner, Mamoni received hands-on training in stitching and tailoring, including fabric cutting, machine operation, and product design. She also attended counselling and financial literacy sessions that helped boost her confidence and independence.

Today, Mamoni successfully runs her own home-based tailoring unit, taking community orders and selling handmade garments at local exhibitions — with support from her mother and sister.

“I can stitch cloth with the help of a sewing machine. I love working on it and feel proud that I can now contribute to my family’s income,” she says.

Her educator adds:

“Mamoni’s enthusiasm and growth are inspiring. She now serves as a role model for others seeking independence.”

Looking Ahead

In the coming quarter, the project aims to:

Expand market linkages for products made by deafblind entrepreneurs.
Provide advanced training and equipment upgrades.
Foster peer learning among participants for collective business growth.

Mamoni’s journey from dependency to entrepreneurship exemplifies the transformative power of skill development and inclusive support.

Thanks to GlobalGiving and the continued support received from donors like you and your continued encouragement, many more deafblind adults across India will be able to stitch their way toward dignity, confidence, and financial independence.

Attachments:

Livelihood_Project_Report.pdf (PDF)

2 Attachments

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Jul 14, 2025
You Enabled Neelam to Lead an Independent Life

By Shivkumar Sharma | Project Leader

A remarkable change of life is taking place in Kolkata, West Bengal, thanks to your kindness. Here is Neelam, a 26-year-old woman with several disabilities, who has been driven by your support toward independence and dignity.

Three years ago, Neelam's life was confined to the limited opportunities that existed for someone like her. But all this changed when she enrolled in a vocational training program funded by Sense International India. With support and patience, she learned to run a grocery shop, acquired skills in soap manufacturing, paper product development, packaging, and even learned basic financial literacy with the help of a calculator.

Nowadays, Neelam manages her own small shop, retailing grocery and dairy products alongside her mother, her constant presence and biggest support. With increasing confidence, she has even opened a fast-food stall recently. She now makes about 10,000 a month and is an indispensable earner for her family.

Neelam's narrative is not merely one of income generation but one of empowerment and inclusion. With ongoing support from Sense India and its partner, Neelam gets frequent mentoring for keeping records, budgeting finances, and looking into sustainable growth.

In her own words:
"I enjoy selling milk products very much at our grocery store with my mother. I will start a new store soon with more varieties."

Her mother says, "Neelam has discovered her strength. Working together each day has made us closer and given her direction."
Neelam's success story is the direct result of your support. You helped unleash her potential—and she's just beginning.

Thanks for trusting in opportunity, dignity, and inclusion. Over the next few months, we hope to empower even more young people like Neelam with training, mentoring, and resources to begin their businesses.

Attachments:

Neelam__Livelihood_Project.pdf (PDF)

2 Attachments

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Mar 17, 2025
Shahina's Journey to Independence

By Shivkumar Sharma | Project Leader

Your Support is Changing Lives: Shahina’s Journey to Independence

Your generosity is creating life-changing opportunities for children with deafblindness, and we are thrilled to share the story of Shahina, a determined 17- year-old girl from Jain Colony, Old Ujjain.

Overcoming Challenges

Shahina was born with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and partial sight impairment. Limited communication skills and a lack of confidence kept her confined to her home, preventing her from accessing education and social interactions. Despite her family's love and support, she struggled to connect with the world.

Empowering Change Through Intervention

With your support, Shahina was enrolled in our program in 2018, where she received specialized education and vocational training, including:
Sign Language Training – Enabling her to communicate effectively with her family and peers.
Parental Counseling & Training – Educating and empowering her parents to support her progress.
Government Scheme Access – Helping her obtain a disability certificate and UDID card.
Home Management & Menstrual Hygiene – Strengthening her daily living skills.
Pre-vocational & Income Generation Training – Teaching money concepts, weighing, and mehendi design to build financial independence.

A Remarkable Transformation
Today, Shahina confidently manages her own small grocery shop, earning 5,000 per month, with a profit of 3,000. She is not just supporting herself but also contributing to her family.
She interacts with customers, handles money, and even applies mehendi as a skill-based service.
Her father, once hesitant, is now her strongest supporter, standing by her as she builds her future.

“Meri beti ko dukaan kholne mei support milne se hum bahut khush hain. Shahinaab khud se bahar nikal kar paise kama sakti hai jo humein madad karega.” (We are very happy that our daughter received IGA support. Shahina can now go out and earn money on her own, which will help us – says her mother.)

Thanks to GlobalGiving and continued support received from donors is ensuring that many more children like Shahina can gain access to education, life skills, and independence. Together, we are building a world where every child, regardless of ability, can lead a fulfilling life. Thank you for believing in their potential!

Attachments:

Global_Giving_Report_Livelihood_Project.pdf (PDF)

4 Attachments

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