Stories of Change- Livelihood
Hope in the face of adversity
Before
After
Anil's journey has been one of perseverance and hope. A 50-year-old differently-abled person, Anil Kumar Baishya from Sonapur village in Baksa district, struggled to make ends meet. He supported a family of three with the meagre income he made from his temporary pan shop. For years, he struggled to set up a permanent shop but was unable to do so due to a lack of funds.
Enter the Gram Seva Programme, an initiative supported by the SBI Foundation. The programme aimed to empower rural communities and provide targeted support to individuals such as Anil. His perseverance caught the attention of the Gram Seva team of ACRD, who extended crucial livelihood support, enabling him to finally set up a permanent shop in a fixed location. With a stable structure and fixed location, his income has noticeably increased to Rs 3,000–Rs 4,000 per month, a considerable improvement from his previous earnings.
Hope Under One Roof
A 35-year-old daily wage worker, Gopal Sapwar from Arnibil village, Baksa district, harboured the dream of owning a piggery farm. Although his earnings were enough to meet the daily expenses of his family, they were not nearly enough to own pigs and keep them in separate hygienic conditions. After saving up, he bought a pig but struggled to provide adequate infrastructure to keep it from contracting diseases.
In a pre-assessment survey, he was identified by the Gram Seva team, who eventually helped him construct a pig shed in his backyard. With a pig shed that can accommodate two pigs, he is now hopeful of rearing more pigs in the future and expanding it into a profitable business.
From Homemakers to Entrepreneurs
Rina Medhi, a 36-year-old homemaker from Ahopa village in Baksa district, completed a three-month tailoring course under the SBI Gram Seva programme in 2019. With her husband struggling as a marginal farmer, the family faced financial difficulties.
Putting her newly acquired skills to use, Rina started a home-based tailoring unit. She now earns Rs 3000 monthly, significantly supporting her family's income.
"This money helps me support my husband and run our family," Rina said. "I hope to increase my income through stitching in the future."
A Shed of Hope
Background
Rita Sarania, a 27-year-old housewife from Rampur village in Baksa district, was one of the beneficiaries under the SBI Gram Saksham project. With limited income and growing responsibilities, Rita was seeking opportunities to support her family and contribute to their livelihood.
Intervention
Through the Kanaklata Self-Help Group, Rita received support from the Gram Saksham project in 2024 in the form of:
- A pig shed unit
- Two piglets (one male and one female)
She received training and guidance from the project team on proper animal care, hygiene practices, and income generation through livestock management.
Success Story
Rita’s dedication and hands-on involvement paid off. Within 9–10 months of receiving the support, the female pig gave birth to nine healthy piglets. This marked a significant turning point for Rita and her family, as the sale of piglets brought in a steady stream of income.
This income allowed her to:
- Support her children's education expenses
- Improve the family’s nutritional and healthcare needs
- Contribute actively to household decision-making
Impact
The Gram Saksham project has empowered Rita to move from economic dependency to self-reliance and confidence. She is now seen as a role model in her community, inspiring other women in her SHG to pursue similar livelihood paths.
“This opportunity changed everything for us. I never imagined I could contribute so much to my family’s future. Now, I can dream bigger for my children.”
— Rita Sarania, Project Beneficiary