The DEAL Foundation has been continuously offering livelihood skill development training and organizing workshops for persons with disabilities and women in every taluk. Due to the belief that nothing much can be done in their lives and the lack of opportunities, many women and persons with disabilities often remain confined to their homes. Identifying such individuals, the DEAL Foundation is reaching out to them in each taluk and providing training and opportunities to help them move forward.
Yes, through the DEAL Foundation, Livelihood Officers are forming self-help groups for persons with disabilities, providing them with training, and supporting them in leading self-reliant lives. In every taluk, persons with disabilities have improved their economic status. Among such women, Annakka Kallayal is one of them.
She is originally from Hatalgeri village in Gadag taluk. Her father is Ganganagouda and her mother is Drakshayini. She belonged to a poor family and was the only beloved daughter of her parents. Annakka had a strong interest in studying. However, due to poverty at home, she had to stop her education after completing PUC (Pre-University Course). Later, her parents arranged her marriage. Though Annakka had the determination to pursue higher education and achieve something, respecting her parents’ wishes and due to financial hardship, she ended her studies and got married.
Later, she had two daughters, and her family was living happily. Although Annakka could not pursue higher education herself, she wished for her children to study well and become educated. To support this dream, she worked from home by washing clothes and doing labor work.
One day, Veena, the Livelihood Officer from Gadag taluk working with the Deal Foundation, visited Hatlageri village. She shared information about the Deal Foundation, its activities, and the concept of self-help groups for persons with disabilities. Inspired by this, the local persons with disabilities came together and formed a self-help group. Annakka also became a member of this group. With the intention of supporting the lives of persons with disabilities, ten members united and named the group “Bevinamaradamma Vikalachetanara Self-Help Group”, and opened a bank account at the KVG Bank in Gadag taluk.
Later, Veena provided the group with book-writing training, 2016 Disability Awareness Training, and leadership training. After a few days, the Deal Foundation also introduced livelihood skill development programs such as kumkum (vermilion) making, candle making, and paper bag making. These trainings helped inspire interest among the group’s members with disabilities to take up self-employment.
As Annakka was interested in working, and was already doing tailoring work from home along with daily wage labor, the group recognized this and helped her by providing a loan of ₹15,000 from their self-help group. With this, she purchased a tailoring machine and started her own business. This significantly improved her financial condition and also enabled her to support her children’s higher education, fulfilling her long-standing wish.
Moreover, Annakka is a shareholder in the District-level Sanrakshane Vikala Chetanara Credit Co-operative Society of the Deal Foundation, which helps her gain access to loan facilities in the future. Thus, despite being born into poverty and facing many hardships, Annakka has moved forward and established her identity in society. With the continued support and cooperation of the Deal Foundation, she has become a role model for many persons with disabilities.
Annakka expressed her views about the Deal Foundation as follows. The Deal Foundation provides training to persons with disabilities and helps them take up employment. They recognized us, who were once confined to our homes, and helped us gain acceptance in society. Persons with disabilities are not limited to their homes; they also have dreams and, if given the opportunity, can achieve those dreams and become role models. This organization has supported us in realizing our potential. Saving money regularly helps us during difficult times, and starting with small savings has become a support system for life. They identified us, formed self-help groups, provided training, and helped us engage in employment. From being unnoticed, I have been recognized and supported to come forward. Because of this, the dream of educating my children is becoming a reality, and our family’s financial situation has improved. All this is possible because of the Deal Foundation. On behalf of myself and my family, I offer my heartfelt thanks to the Deal Foundation and Veena ma’am. I request that many more persons with disabilities like me be identified and supported so they too can move forward in life.”
Thus, the Deal Foundation is providing opportunities and financial support to persons with disabilities, helping them achieve success in life and gain recognition in society. The Foundation’s vision is for many more persons with disabilities in every taluk to recognize their potential and move forward confidently. Everyone requests that the Deal Foundation continue to extend its support and cooperation so that it may achieve even greater recognition and success.
For any specific questions or assistance related to this blog, please contact us at Info@deal-foundation.com. To learn more about the work we do, please visit and log in at www.deal-foundation.com.
Thank you.