Netra’s journey to self-reliance

Thanks to your compassion and generous support, lives are changing in Chowdalli village of Mundgod, India.

Netra, a mother of three, is an inspiration for her indigenous Vaddar community—a tribe historically relegated to hard labour and systemic marginalisation.

Before joining the Sustainable Development Program in 2022, run by our partners North Karnataka Jesuits and Loyola Vikasa Kendra (LVK), Netra’s life was a constant struggle.

“I had to rely heavily on loans from local lenders to meet daily needs for my three children and I sustained myself through wage labour and work in the brick industry. The constant cycle of borrowing and working left me feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, as I could not make any significant progress in life,” she said.

But everything changed—thanks to your generosity.

Through training programs offered by our partners, Netra gained skills in entrepreneurship and self-employment.

She transitioned from wage labour and brick work to garland making, and began selling pearl garlands, even reaching markets in Bangalore. This opened new doors, not only for income, but for self-belief.

“Through my participation in various training programs and self-employment initiatives, I developed a deeper understanding of market demand, pricing strategies, and customer preferences.

Encouraged by this knowledge, I began actively promoting my pearl garlands in different local markets,” she said.

Today, Netra earns a stable income and supports her entire family.

With a subsidised loan from the program, she expanded further—rearing sheep, starting a dairy venture, and continuing her garland enterprise.

Even more, she motivates other women in her community to be self-employed as well.

Netra now dreams of growing her dairy and sheep businesses and taking her garlands to digital marketplaces.

“We have gained invaluable knowledge and skills in self-employment, health awareness, land rights, housing rights, and government welfare schemes. These trainings have not only empowered us as individuals but have also enabled us to become leaders within our community,” she said.

From debt to dignity—over 1,300 indigenous people have received this support in the last three years.

Thank you.

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