Eti's Story

Domestic abuse to business success

Peyara’s story

Illiteracy to leadership

Jyotsna’s story

Debt to self sufficiency

The Rajloki women’s group

Transforming their community

Julia's Story

Homelessness to security

 

Jyotsna's Story: from debt to self-sufficency

At the age of 12 Jyostna’s father died, and as her mother struggled to make ends meet, Jyostna was arranged to be married.

Jyotsna began her married life in the low-caste Hindu community of Wari. With her husband’s low wage and a newly born daughter to feed, Jyostna was forced to turn to a local moneylender and took a loan with an exorbitant interest rate, trapping her in a cycle of debt.

Jyotsna, struggling to get by, heard about our learning and savings groups meeting in her community. She soon became a member and started saving a little money each week.

Always keen to learn, Jyotsna loved meeting with her group and learning to how apply new knowledge and skills to her life. She was eventually able to increase her family’s income by using her newly acquired tailoring skills.

By carefully managing their finances, Jyotsna and her husband used this valuable extra income to break free from their crippling debt.Inspired by Food for the Hungry’s values, Jyotsna decided to train as an adult literacy teacher. Now qualified, she encourages and helps other disadvantaged women.

“No one will be able to take away the knowledge and education that Food for the Hungry provided me.” Jyostna, Wari.

Can you help another woman transform her life?