Tailoring Skills for 50 Girls in Kolkata, India

Soni comes from a financially constrained family living near the railway tracks where basic facilities are limited. Her father, Sabir, aged 46, works as a drum maker and earns Rs.10,000 (US$ 119), per month. Her mother, Shakila, aged 40, is a homemaker and does not contribute financially. Despite these challenges, Soni has shown resilience and determination to continue her education and improve her future.

Soni has several siblings, each of whom has faced different challenges due to the family's financial constraints. Her elder sisterSabina, aged 22, had to drop out of college due to financial difficulties. Safina, aged 19, is another sister who had to discontinue her education after completing Class IX because of similar financial issues.Both Sabina and Safina have since been married off.

Soni also has three younger siblings. Her younger brother, Sameer, is 17 years old and currently studying in a Madrasah, while her younger sister, Sidra,is 14 years old and studying in Class VIII. Her youngest brother, Sugal, is 9 years old and is in Class IV.

Soni has demonstrated immense perseverance despite the challenges posed by her family's financial situation. Currently, she is completing a 6-month vocational course in Garment Construction and Tailoring at Hope Kolkata Foundation, which also includes training in Communicative English and Personality Development. The course will conclude in March this year, and after completion, she is expected to secure a job with a monthly salary of 10,000 (US$ 119), provided by the foundation.

Along with her vocational training, Soni has appeared for her Class XII Higher Secondary Board Examination, reflecting her commitment to education despite the many challenges.

In this journey, Soni and her family have been immensely supported by the Tiljala Shed ensuring they have access to opportunities they would otherwise not have had. Tiljala Shed has financially supported Soni's vocational training which has been instrumental in shaping her future and helping her achieve her career goals. This unwavering support has not only helped her gain the skills needed to secure employment but also provided the family with hope for a brighter future.

Despite the financial struggles, Soni's family remains hopeful that with the right support, each of the children can overcome their educational and economic challenges.

The ongoing support from organizations like Tiljala Shed plays a key role in empowering Soni and her family, allowing them to move forward with greater confidence and strength.