You teach a man, you teach a man. You teach a woman, you teach a generation
Fareeda Isaac (47) is a social entrepreneur from Puducherry. As a dynamic social worker, Fareeda began her journey in 2005 when she created a women’s only self-help group (SHG) in Orleanpet region of Puducherry. Soon, she had formed two more SHGs. Once every month, she would organise a meeting with each SHG at her house and give them training on efficient budgeting and micro-finance. By 2009, Fareeda was working with over 100 SHGs in and around Puducherry. She also regularly organised training sessions on producing handmade goods such as soaps, mats, toys, fashion accessories and recycling waste cloth.
Fareeda’s work was noticed by the government, and the SHGs received government support as well. This gave them an opportunity to showcase their handcrafted products at exhibitions across the country. In addition to spearheading these 100 SHGs, Fareeda, in 2007, initiated a children’s parliament where students from Grade V to VII participated and discussed social issues such as population and pollution. This was an effort to help children become responsible citizens in the future.
Though she is not active in any SHG anymore, she still meets her old comrades on special occasions and functions, and is always willing to help them in times of distress.
Fareeda’s own enterprise, ‘Ammi’s Home Made Products’ was launched in 2014. From squashes and jams to pickles, a bounty of products is prepared at this small establishment by her. For assistance, she has employed two women from underprivileged backgrounds to give them a fair opportunity to earn and be financially independent. She now wants to take her business online and reach out to customers at a wider scale. Fareeda wants to gain thorough knowledge of e-Commerce marketing to promote and sell her products through the World Wide Web.
Fareeda believes that a woman can fly a plane or drive a lorry. If a women has will power and passion, no strength can stop her from fulfilling get dreams and aspirations.
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