Sustainable Livelihoods for Deafblind Adults

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.

• Livelihood_Project_Report.pdf (PDF)
  

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.

• Neelam__Livelihood_Project.pdf (PDF)