Vasumati started working with St. Mary’s as an embroiderer in 1973. Vasumati lived with her husband and her mother in law. Vasumati’s husband was working in an iron factory. The family was barely making ends meet so she started working to provide a supplemental income to the family. Vasumati would go to St. Mary’s each week to pick up bundles consisting of stenciled cloth and colored threads. Vasumati would embroider the cloth at home while running the household.Vasumati’s mother in law passed away and then a few years later, in 1990 Vasumati’s husband passed away as well. At this time Vasumati started working at St. Mary’s Center full time. Vasumati is now the person in charge of preparing the cloth and thread bundles for other women to pick up and take home to embroider. Vasumati has been able to receive a loan toward the purchase of her own home, and has since re-paid the loan. Vasumati has no children of her own but has nieces and nephews that will also benefit from her income.
Vasumati wants to continue working at the center as long as she is able. She is proud of her accomplishments. Having a job and her own income has given her great self esteem and empowerment. Since she is now alone the connection with others at the center mean a lot her. Being at St. Mary’s makes her very happy.
Interview by Shirley
More pictures from St Mary's and Ahmedabad:
Dancers preparing to perform for us
And yet another photogenic kid...
Step Well
Gandhi's room at the Ashram 
No comments:
Post a Comment