Sustainable Livelihoods for Deafblind Adults

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)