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Sector: Community Based Livelihood (Farm)
Unable to read and write, Roshni Devi of Chahri
Mohalkar felt helpless in her in-laws home. She
was prohibited from going anywhere without their
permission and was a slave to their demands. Day
a fter
day she served them and made sure they were
taken care of. Roshni Devi’s family was very
poor and lived off of the wages they made from
doing daily work in the fields. Roshni Devi
wanted some say in the affairs of her family but
was given no voice.
After meeting CORD workers Satya, Urmila, and
Kaushalya, Roshni Devi came to learn about the
organization and its programs. She realized
that many women were in the same situation she
was in and
 decided
to join the Mahila Mandal (Village Women’s
Group) in her village. This forum gave
marginalized women the opportunity to voice
their concerns and come together. Soon, Roshni
Devi was elected President. Under her
leadership, the Mahila Mandal flourished and
women felt comfortable discussing any issue.
Because Roshni Devi was so well respected in her
community, she did not have a difficult time
gathering the women. Even though Roshni Devi was
illiterate, she motivated the group with her
words. Her strength was an example for the women
and her story made them feel that they too could
improve their condition.
Although Roshni Devi was smart and capable, she
did not have a penny of her own savings. She had
some knowledge of farming and cultivated the
fields near her home. Satya encouraged Roshni
Devi to get specialized training. After coming
into contact with CORD, she learned about
sustainable farming practices and crops she
could grow for money. Several times she came to
the CORD center for livelihood training without
fearing that her family would reprimand her.
Nothing could stop her now because she wanted to
progress and improve her living conditions.
After receiving training she became confident in
her skills and started practicing many of the
schemes she had learned. Roshni Devi started by
taking a loan from her SHG and making a
polyhouse (also known as a greenhouse) near her
home. In the polyhouse, she produced several
types of vegetables like lady fingers, eggplant,
tomatoes, ginger, cauliflower, and radish. Using
only natural methods and fertilizers like
biocompost and vermin compost she continues her
work. Today, she has cultivated a significant
amount of
 land,
and maintains an orchard of over thirty trees
including mango, pumpkin, guava, leechi, and
kathal (jackfruit). Roshni Devi finds the peace
and quiet of her orchard a comfort and a
complete change from the life she used to live.
Once dependent on her husband and family, Roshni
Devi now provides food and income for her family
and fellow villagers. Her farming endeavors have
become a family affair. Her husband also works
on the land after coming home from his job with
the Public Works Department. Roshni Devi’s son,
with the help of a loan from the SHG, bought a
vehicle and transports the produce to local
markets. Villagers even come to her home to buy
her fresh vegetables. Now, she is viewed as an
important member of her family and has been
given a voice to help make family decisions.
Roshni Devi continues to educate herself on the
most up-to-date farming methods. CORD workers
frequently visit her land and advise her on ways
to improve her crops. She has progressed as a
result of her self motivation and inner desire
to change her situation.
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