Tailoring Skills for 50 Girls in Kolkata, India

Nazni is a 19-year-old young woman living with her family in a small, cramped room in a slum area of Tangra, Kolkata. Her family consists of four members—her mother and two brothers. Life has been a constant struggle for them. When Nazni was only five years old, her father abandoned the family, leaving them to survive without any support.

Nazni’s mother is a homemaker with no independent source of income. Her elder brother aged 26, works as a laborer in a bag factory, earning around 250 per day (approximately USD 3). Her younger brother, aged 24, works as a Rapido bike service rider and earns about 7,000 per month (approximately USD 85). Despite their hard work, the family’s total income remains extremely limited and uncertain, making it difficult to cover basic needs such as food, rent, electricity, and medical expenses.

In 2024, Nazni appeared for her Class X Government Board Examination. Unfortunately, she did not pass. This setback deeply affected her confidence, and for some time, she lost hope. Watching her family struggle daily under financial stress made her feel helpless and burdened.

However, Nazni chose courage over despair.

Determined to change her circumstances and support her family, Nazni decided to acquire a practical skill that could help her earn a dignified livelihood. With the support of Tiljala Society for Human and Educational Development (Tiljala SHED), she enrolled in a six-month tailoring course. This opportunity has given her renewed confidence, purpose, and hope for a better future.

Today, Nazni is learning tailoring with dedication and enthusiasm. After completing the course, she hopes to work in a boutique or tailoring shop and contribute to her family’s income. Her dream is to become financially independent, reduce the burden on her brothers, and help her family move toward a life of stability, dignity, and peace.

Nazni does not ask for charity—she asks for a chance. A chance to work, to earn, and to stand on her own feet.

Your support can help Nazni transform her struggle into strength and stitch a future filled with dignity and hope—for herself and her family.

A Stitch of Hope: Sadya’s Story

 Tangra, Kolkata

In the narrow lanes of Tangra, Kolkata, lives 20-year-old Sadya with her parents and seven siblings. Their entire family of nine struggles to survive in a small 100 sq. ft. room that they call home. The space is barely enough to sleep at night, let alone provide comfort for so many people.

Her father works tirelessly as a daily wage labourer in a plastic factory, earning around 9,000 ($108) per month. But with eight dependents relying on this meagre income, it is impossible to cover even the family’s basic needs—food, rent, school supplies, clothing, and medical expenses. Sadya’s mother is a homemaker, while her elder brother, despite having passed Class XII, has not been able to secure a job. Her younger brothers and sisters are still in government schools, their education at constant risk of being interrupted by poverty.

Growing up in such hardship, Sadya often worried about her family’s future. She could see the exhaustion in her father’s eyes and the silent struggle of her mother, trying to stretch every rupee to feed and clothe the children. Instead of giving in to despair, Sadya made a brave decision—she wanted to help her family and reduce her father’s burden.

That is when she approached Tiljala SHED. She expressed her wish to learn tailoring; a skill she believed could provide her with a sustainable source of income. Recognising her determination, Tiljala SHED admitted her into a six-month tailoring course. The organisation not only covered her training fees but also provided travel allowances so she could attend classes regularly, just like eight other young women beneficiaries in the program.

Sadya worked hard and completed her course successfully. At the end of her training, she received a brand-new sewing machine (worth approx. 8,000 / $96). For Sadya, this was not just a machine—it was a lifeline, a tool that symbolised dignity, hope, and the power to change her family’s circumstances.

Today, Sadya proudly earns by stitching clothes for her neighbours. The money she brings in may be modest, but in her words, “Every stitch I make is a step toward helping my family breathe a little easier.” With her earnings, she contributes to household expenses and supports her younger siblings in continuing their education.

Most importantly, Sadya has found a sense of confidence, independence, and hope. She no longer sees herself as just another dependent in her crowded household, but as someone who can actively uplift her family. She now dreams of continuing her higher studies while pursuing tailoring as a part-time job to support her loved ones.

 “I am very thankful to Tiljala SHED for giving me this opportunity. With this skill, I can now support my family and also dream of a better future.” – Sadya

Sadya’s story is more than just one young woman learning a trade—it is a powerful example of how a simple opportunity can transform lives. With continued support, many more girls like her can rise above poverty, achieve dignity, and build a brighter future for their families.