DIGNITY: Livelihoods for Special Mothers

Mothers of children with special needs often bear the brunt of the disability: fathers often desert the mother and the child, and regular employment with a child with special needs becomes difficult. Mothers are left with no real way to earn a steady income, and increases their economic dependence. The children too, are caught in the cycle, unable to live a dignified independent life.

Our Livelihoods Project, DIGNITY, helps mothers of children with special needs not just have a livelihood for themselves, but also involve their children, and other youth with disabilities in their businesses. DIGNITY helps set up small businesses for these women, so that they can continue earning and working, while providing a way for other youth with disabilities to also create a livelihood for themselves. DIGNITY provides the seed capital and training to help the women start and run businesses. We also help create marketing channels where required. Examples of enterprises include: idiappam flour making, basket weaving, petty shop, etc.

With DIGNITY, women and youth with disabilities will earn a livelihood and learn important life skills to help them in their lives. We plan to provide the seed money for fifteen (15) businesses for starters, and request your help for the same. With an average of two helpers per business, the project will help 45 people with their livelihoods.