The DEAL Foundation has been organizing workshops across every taluk to provide livelihood skill development training for women and individuals with disabilities. Many women and people with disabilities are often confined to their homes due to limited opportunities. Through dedicated Livelihood Officers, the DEAL Foundation offers training and creates opportunities to empower these individuals.
Indeed, the DEAL Foundation has established the Lovely Wood Officers Women’s Self-Help Society, providing training and support to help women lead self-reliant lives. As a result, women in every taluk have improved their economic standards of living. Sunita Hiremath is one such inspiring example.
Sunita Hiremath is originally from Narayanpura village in Gadag taluk. Her father, Ganga Gowda, and her mother, Drakshaini, came from a poor family. As the only beloved daughter, Sunita had a deep passion for reading, but financial hardships at home created challenges. Despite these obstacles, she completed her education up to the Pre-University Course (PUC). However, her parents arranged her marriage, which cut short her dreams of further studies. Sunita had a strong desire to continue her education and achieve more, but poverty led her to prioritize her family’s wishes over her aspirations
Later, Sunita had two daughters and a son, and her family is now filled with happiness. Although she was unable to pursue further education, she worked hard by packing and selling idli rava at home, driven by her desire for her children to receive a good education.
One day, Veena, the Livelihood Officer of Gadag taluk for the DEAL Foundation, visited Narayanpura village to share information about the foundation and its activities, including self-help groups. Inspired by her visit, Sunita suggested forming a self-help society to support ten women in their community. As a result, they established the ‘Kalyana Basaveshwar Self-Help Society’ and opened an account at KCC Bank in Gadag Taluk.
Later, Veena, along with Uma Chil Gowder, the Program Manager of the DEAL Foundation, and Shivakumar Shirola, the Training Coordinator, provided bookkeeping training to the Kalyana Basaveshwar Self-Help Society. They also conducted Financial Leadership Training and 2016 Disability Awareness Training for a total of six associations in Narayanpura village. Additionally, a survey was conducted to gather information about the members’ job interests, with the Kalyana Basaveshwar Self-Help Society being one of the participants.
Sunita’s interest in self-employment, particularly in her idli rava business, caught the attention of the DEAL Foundation, which has established self-employment centers in every taluk. These centers empower individuals with disabilities and women to pursue jobs that align with their interests. As a result, Sunita was given the opportunity to work at the Agricultural Extension Center’s Ask Center in Gadag Taluk. With the support of the DEAL Foundation, she secured a bank loan from SIDBI to purchase a roti machine. This enabled her to operate at the Ask Center, and she is now improving her financial situation with the help of her family in managing the roti machine
As a result, she obtained a roti machine through a bank loan from SIDBI, with the support of the DEAL Foundation. Sunita has been working at the Ask Center in collaboration with her family, which has helped her improve her financial situation. She is now fulfilling her dreams by providing her children with a better education, and her family is actively supporting her in this endeavor.
Sunita has emerged from poverty and is now recognized in society, becoming a role model for many women, thanks to the great support from the DEAL Foundation. Initially, I thought the foundation only provided training to people with disabilities, but it also empowers women with dreams like ours. Women should not be confined to their homes; they have aspirations for life, and if given the chance, they can achieve them. The DEAL Foundation has been instrumental in supporting us. Saving just 100 rupees each month will help us during difficult times, making this small savings a vital support system. Veena from the DEAL Foundation identified our potential, helped us form a self-help group, and provided us with training to engage in meaningful employment. On behalf of my family and our association, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the DEAL Foundation and Veena for their invaluable support. Many women like us are now recognized and are encouraged to step forward.
The DEAL Foundation is providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities and women by offering financial support and helping society recognize the significance of achieving one’s goals in life. The foundation has inspired many women in every taluk to identify themselves and take initiative. We all hope that the DEAL Foundation will continue to extend its cooperation and wish them even greater success in the future.
If you have any specific questions regarding this blog or need assistance, please contact us at info@deal-foundation.com. For more information about our work, visit www.deal-foundation.com.
Thank you!”