Durga Sharma : A Story of Strength and Independence

Resilience
Single Mother
Creation
Creates 10 shawls per day
Breadwinner
Supports her family of 3
Story of Durga Sharma (F)
Durga Sharma, a strong woman, embodies the spirit of resilience and determination. Having studied only up to the 10th grade, life threw many challenges her way. For the past four years, she has been raising her two children, a daughter and a son alone, without the support of her husband and any family members. The responsibility of being the sole breadwinner was disheartening, but Durga refused to give up. She knew she had to find a way to provide for her family and ensure her children had a better future.
Before discovering Yes Helping Hands, Durga worked tirelessly as a sweeper and cleaner in homes. Durga said that it was hard work, and the pay was lacking in quantity, but she did what she had to do to keep her family afloat. One day, as fate would have it, she came across a pamphlet for Yes Helping Hands. The opportunity to work there felt like a lifeline, and Durga seized it with both hands.
She enrolled in a three-month training program offered by Yes Helping Hands, where she learned new skills while receiving a food allowance. This training period was a transformative time for Durga. Surrounded by supportive co-workers and mentors, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. Watching others thrive in their roles motivated her to learn and earn independently. She trained diligently, and before long, she was working on the handloom, weaving beautiful shawls with precision and care.
Today, Durga is growing. Her earnings are sufficient to raise her children, and the flexible working hours allow her to balance her job with her responsibilities as a mother. The once-overwhelming burden of being the sole provider has lightened, replaced by a sense of pride in her accomplishments.
Durga says,” She is deeply grateful to Yes Helping Hands for the skills she acquired and the courage she found within herself. The organization didn’t just give her a job, it gave her a new lease on life, empowering her to stand strong and independent.” Durga’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, and she continues to inspire those around her with her strength and determination.



