๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ: ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ขโ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ
Asha Kumari hails from Mai village in Nalanda district, Bihar. She comes from a landless family, where livelihoods have always been uncertain. Her husband works in small-scale decoration services, an occupation that provides income mainly during the wedding season. During the off-season, the family struggled to manage household expenses and ensure their childrenโs education.
When Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) began working in her area, Asha saw an opportunity to build an independent source of income. In 2024, she joined SSP and participated in the Basic Entrepreneurship Development Programme. The training gave her practical knowledge on income planning, local markets, and sustainable livelihood options.
With this support, Asha took her first step into entrepreneurship by purchasing and selling organic fertiliser (khad), promoting organic farming practices in her village and nearby areas. Alongside this, she began selling clean energy products such as solar items from her home, gradually building trust among customers.
As her confidence grew, Asha sought to expand her skills further. SSP connected her with the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI), where in June 2025, she completed a 15-day government-recognised training on teddy bear making, including practical sessions, theory, and an examination. Receiving her certificate was a major milestone, reinforcing her belief in her abilities and opening new avenues for livelihood.
Today, Asha makes and sells an average of 20 teddy bears every month, supplying them to local shops and promoting them during village and community meetings, earning around โน2,000 per month. In addition, she earns โน7,000โ8,000 monthly through organic fertiliser and clean energy sales. Altogether, she now earns โน9,000โ10,000 per month, running her enterprise successfully from home.
With her earnings, Asha has been able to enrol her children in a good school and repair her house. More importantly, she has gained confidence, pride, and independence. From financial uncertainty to becoming a certified rural entrepreneur, her journey reflects the power of skills, training, and perseverance.
โAfter receiving my certificate, I felt proud to do something on my own. I started with no market, but now I sell my products locally. With my earnings as a Sakhi, I am educating my children and have repaired my home.โ
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
30 December, 2025