Preety’s world shattered when her husband died, leaving her and their two children grieving and financially strained.
Living in Nagapattinam, a coastal town in the south of India, education and work opportunities for women are limited. Preety had relied on her husband for financial support, but after his death, she faced the daunting task of providing for her family, while mourning her loss.
Preety said, “I was down and didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t manage day-to-day expenses.”
Becoming independent
After advice from a neighbour, Preety joined SOS Children’s Villages India’s self-help group and here, began her journey towards personal and financial empowerment.
Thanks to the group, Preety found solace from fellow members, learnt valuable parenting skills and said: “I like that we get to help each other, we feel part of a community. I learn new things like child rights and safeguarding.”
Driven by love
Preety’s turning point came when, supported by SOS Children’s Villages, she began cow-rearing, earning 8,000 rupees (£77) a month selling milk, and then started to learn tailoring.
Now, Preety has enough income to manage household and school expenses, paving the way for her children’s success.
Preety says, “My girl wants to be a teacher, my boy wants to be a police officer. I believe in their dreams and I’m going to help them get there.
“I am so happy, my mind is peaceful now.”
Preety’s achievements will help ensure the family’s ongoing security, keeping them together, safe and fulfilled.
Her journey shows the impact of self-help groups in empowering families, particularly women, to overcome adversity.
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