Kavita Bhalke, Latur, Maharashtra

๐Š๐š๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐šโ€™๐ฌ ๐‰๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐ž๐ฒ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‚๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ž ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐ž๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก

After Kavita Bhalkeโ€™s marriage in 2009, her family began facing financial challenges. Though educated, social norms did not allow her to work outside the home. Determined to support her family, Kavita started tailoring from her house, earning around โ‚น1,500 a month. In the process, she built strong connections with other women and began understanding the shared challenges they faced.

Her association with Swayam Shikshan Prayog in 2018 marked a turning point. Kavita took on small responsibilities, including working as a clerk with very limited pay. While the income was modest, the experience helped her learn SHG transactions, basic financial processes, and record keepingโ€”building her confidence step by step.

In 2024, Kavita formally joined SSP as a Village Sakhi under the Axis Bank Limitedโ€“supported project. Today, she earns a stable monthly income of โ‚น3,000, bringing dignity and security to her household. She is now a trusted Gram Sakhi in her village, supporting women to access livelihoods, skills, and government support.

Kavita currently works with nearly 100 women across climate-resilient farming, agri-allied livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and skill training initiatives. Her efforts have helped 52 women adopt climate-resilient farming practices, supported 31 women to take up agri-allied activities, and enabled 30 women farmers to access agriculture department subsidiesโ€”reducing costs and strengthening incomes.

From a home-based tailor to a community leader, Kavitaโ€™s journey shows how opportunity and collective action can transform womenโ€™s lives.

Swayam Shikshan Prayog
05 February, 2026