Hindustan Zinc’s project “Sakhi” training rural women in vocational skills. Rural women show interest in making perfumed candles of different shapes and sizes.
Rural women in Rajasthan are learning new vocational traits to empower their social and economic conditions. They have understood the importance of utilization of their free time for gainful employment. One such project has been started by Vedanta group company Hindustan Zinc in Rajasthan by name “Sakhi” which empowers rural and tribal women for their social and economic empowerment through training in vocational skills. They are also linked directly with the market for their regular income.
One such woman is Tulsi. Tulsi lives in a small village called Kaladwas, about 15 kilometres from the main Udaipur city. When Hindustan Zinc approached Tulsi for her interest in vocational training she readily agreed and also called few more of her friends to learn the same. Infrastructure was the issue in running vocational training due to lack of electricity and also due to distance from the main highway. She arranged the place where the training could be provided. Now the thought was given for the type of training to be conducted.
With the given infrastructure it was decided to conduct Perfumed Candle Making training program and with-in the training make about 2000 candles to be sold instantly. Tulsi agreed and also promised to get more women to learn and execute this project.
Within 2-days everything was organized by Tulsi. Hindustan Zinc arranged for all the raw material and Tulsi arranged for cooking gas to melt the wax, utensils and other requirements which were easily available in a rural house.
It is said, when you have interest in learning and focus is clear, the understanding becomes higher.
Finally the “Sakhi” Project started in Kaladwas village with about 18 rural women making 2000 candles.
While starting the project Tulsi and her friends faced many challenges. Tulsi smartly divided all ladies into groups and asked each group to do separate activities of their choice. Some prepared the moulds, some poured wax and some engaged in packaging. It was like a dream come true.
Soon 2000 beautiful candles were made and the people purchased it instantly. There were many repeat orders as well which were executed by Tulsi and her team of rural women.
All became emotional when their honorarium of hard work was given to them. Tulsi cried too. For her it was a dream come true. Learning through engagement and getting reward in the form of cash honorarium was indeed very encouraging.
Sakhi is a hope for all rural women who have dreams and determination to make it happen.
