The beginning of a powerful journey of change
In the quiet village of Meyari, Gayaji district, Bihar, Anita Devi lived a life of quiet resilience. With no land to her name and her husband working in far-off cities, she relied on limited means to support her family. Before becoming a Urja Sakhi at SSP, the household income came from just two modest sources: selling her handmade art and craft materials, and conducting small training sessions to teach others the same. The second source was her husband’s occasional remittances—about ₹5,000 per month from his job in the city. It was barely enough to get by.
But everything changed in February 2024, when she met the Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) team during a community meeting in her village. She joined as a Sakhi under the Clean Energy Project, supported by MISEREOR, marking the beginning of a powerful journey of change.
Anita began by mobilizing women in her village and participating in intensive training on climate change, clean energy, and entrepreneurship development. With each session, she grew more confident and committed. She started selling clean energy products—like solar lights and improved cookstoves—through door-to-door awareness activities, local campaigns, and demonstrations.
As her efforts took off, so did her income and motivation. Encouraged by the response, Anita rented a small shop near her home, where she began to sell both clean energy products and her own handmade art & craft items. What started as a personal journey soon turned into a family business, with her husband returning from the city to join and support her growing enterprise.
Today, Anita earns around ₹15,000–₹16,000 per month—triple what her household earned earlier. More importantly, she has become a beacon of inspiration in her village, helping other women learn about clean energy and how to run a small business.
“Before, I only hoped for some income. Now, I run a shop, sell clean energy products, and guide other women to do the same. SSP gave me the wings I never knew I had.”
Anita’s transformation is proof that when rural women are given knowledge, skills, and belief, they don’t just survive—they lead.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
1st August, 2025