Sihuliya is a small, remote village in the Cholapur block of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh where most families rely on daily wage labor to meet their needs. Social issues such as caste-based discrimination, gender inequality, lack of education, and early involvement of children in household responsibilities heavily impact adolescent girls.
Vinita, who had completed her 12th grade, had to put her education on hold due to financial constraints. Like many girls in the village, she remained confined to domestic work, with limited exposure to opportunities beyond her home. This was the reality for Vinita and her peers before Prayatn Sanstha’s intervention through the Sambal Project.
In August 2019, Prayatn Sanstha, in collaboration with Kindernothilfe (KNH) e.V., began its intervention in 50 villages of Cholapur block, including Sihuliya, with the objective of protecting children and empowering adolescent girls. The team carried out community assessments, held regular dialogues with families, and formed community-based institutions such as the Child Protection Committee (CPC), Children’s Forum (Bal Manch), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and adolescent girl’s groups. These efforts created a safe and open environment where girls like Vinita could voice their challenges and aspirations.
During one such meeting, a common challenge emerged: financial hardship was forcing them to drop out of school. Vinita shared her predicament, explaining that her family’s weak economic condition was a barrier to continuing education.
The question was clear: How could these girls support their families if they couldn’t pursue higher education?
Responding to her interest, the Prayatn team informed her about the tailoring course available at the village skill development centre requiring just two hours daily. She stood up and declared, “Yes, I will become self-reliant and support my family.”
This was the turning point. Inspired by the possibility, Vinita took the decisive step to enroll in a six-month tailoring course at a nearby center.
Within a month, she was already cutting fabric and soon mastered the art of sewing and gradually started stitching clothes from home. Seeing her determination, her father, Jagjeevan ji, bought her a sewing machine.
Today, Vinita runs her tailoring business from home. She earns ₹100 to ₹150 every day, providing financial support to her family. Villagers no longer have to travel far for tailoring services; they now come directly to Vinita. Most importantly, she has become an inspiration to other girls, who now aspire to learn from her and build their own futures.
She also resumed her education. With growing confidence, she began balancing both her studies and household responsibilities. Her father and other community members now admire her dedication. Today, Vinita is seen as a skilled, responsible, and inspiring young woman in the village.