Success Stories of Skilled Women from GMR Varalakshmi Foundation

Santoshi Turkane, Tailoring

Santoshi  Turkane is from a very poor SC family in Raikheda Village.  Her husband as an agricultural wage labourer and gets work only for 5 to 6 months in a year.

Santoshi came into contact with GMRVF volunteers in her village during a Self-help group Meetings and showed her willingness to join the tailoring training being conducted in the village. She was regular in attending the training as well as the Self Help Group meetings. She faced some opposition to her attending the classes due to caste dynamics in her village, but she did not let this deter her.

Today she is earning about Rs 6,000 /month in her village, stitching petticoats, blouses, hospital garments, and making teddy bears and bags. With her dedication and hard work she became the President of Village level SHG Federation, and In due course she also became President of CHIRAG Samiti consisting of 4 Villages and 400 women as its member.

Santoshi enhanced her skill and leadership by joining the GMRVF centre and is a role model for many young ladies in Village. Santoshi has been trained in our Chhattisgarh centre.