From unassuming origins and operating out of his residence, twenty-six-year-old Narendra Kushwaha has woven a tapestry of success through his thriving tailoring establishment. His story commenced when an introduction by a friend ushered him into the fold of Work4Progress.

On a scorching afternoon in Orchha, Balkishan Ahirwar, a thirty-four-year-old entrepreneur, could be found engrossed in conversations with customers at his bustling UdyaME Common Service Centre (CSC). Before he began his entrepreneurial journey, he worked at a local shop where he acquired knowledge of computers and other skills that helped him open a Common Service Centre in his locality.

Meenakshi, a 22-year-old History and Geography graduate, lives in Matanhail, Jhajjar, and has a contagiously cheerful personality that resonated hope in everyone she encounters. Meenakshi has always aimed to build a financially independent future for herself with the help of her education and will.

Residing with her three young children and husband with little to no money, Manisha was no stranger to adversity. The family depended on the dwindling fund provided by Manisha’s parents and her husband’s meagre income provided no reprieve to their woes.

Simran, a 25-years old girl, is now known as ‘Makeover by Simran’. She is from a lower middle-class family and had a dream of becoming a beautician.

Ever since childhood, Chanchal had big dreams for herself. She was stubbornly ambitious with a brilliant mind teeming with curiosity and aspirations. Chanchal wanted to pursue her higher education at a renowned university and work a high-paying job with which she could provide for her family.

Ever since the young age, Usha has determinedly paved her way through life. Giving up her education after Grade 12, she entered married life, deterred from her original course yet undaunted by life’s dilemmas.

Who says that a woman with limited education and money cannot start her own digital service centre and simultaneously follow her passion? They have obviously never met the fierce force- Aarti.

Anju had a worn-out yet innately optimistic outlook on life. Hardship struck when she fell sick. Unable to look after her cattle and losing a fraction of the income she secured from her side jobs, business came to a perilous standstill. But Anju was ready to get her life back on track as soon as she recovered. Read her Story of Change here:

It is such a minor yet colossal moment when you take a step back and realise that the woman you were a year ago and what you have become now, is an entirely different person. Women are, by nature, resilient beings.