Unnati – Stitching a New Future” in Sundasi Village

Organization: Bareilly Diocesan Social Service Centre (BDSSC)

Sundasi, a village under Izzatnagar block in Bareilly district, is home to families struggling with poverty. Most villagers depend on seasonal farming, and many migrate to cities for labor work during off-seasons. The educational landscape, especially for adolescent girls, is disheartening. Due to economic hardship, most girls are forced to drop out of school, even though they deeply wish to study and lead independent lives.

In September 2024, Bareilly Diocesan Social Service Centre (BDSSC) began its social intervention in the village. On 8th November 2024, they formed the “Two Adolescent Girls Group” and conducted the first meeting, where a career guidance session was held. During this session, the girls courageously shared their personal challenges—mainly related to poverty and family responsibilities—that led them to abandon their studies.

Inspired by the session and driven by the desire for change, the girls decided to learn tailoring, a skill that could offer them both income and flexibility to restart their education. BDSSC responded quickly to their needs and started two tailoring centers in the village, each running for four months.

A total of 40 adolescent girls participated in the training program. They learned not only how to stitch but also gained confidence, time management skills, and a sense of independence. By the end of the course, 20 girls chose to continue working professionally in stitching and began earning a regular income by taking orders from nearby villages and towns. Among these, 8 exceptional girls took their ambition a step further. With the support and encouragement of BDSSC, they applied for a government-sponsored advanced tailoring course. After clearing the interview, they received certificates, advanced tailoring kits, sewing machines, and financial support under the scheme. This was a huge milestone for them and their families.

Today, these young women are earning ₹500 to ₹600 per day, depending on the number of orders. They are self-reliant, confident, and role models for other girls in their village. The income they generate is being used not only to support their families but also to restart their formal education, fulfilling a dream they once thought was lost.