Skip to content 
In a transformative step towards empowering rural and tribal women, the Sri Sathya Sai Shubha Dayini initiative began with its first training workshop at the Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam, Uyyamballi. More than 20 eager women from the nearby village of Madiwala attended the paper bag making workshop, ready to begin a journey of economic independence for themselves and hope for their community.
The Madiwala village, located about 20 kilometres from the ashram, struggles with lack of access to economic opportunities. Families in this tribal region subsist on meager incomes from goat rearing and odd jobs. The Sri Sathya Sai Shubha Dayini aims to uplift these women through skills training with easily-accessible raw materials, helping transform them into self-reliant entrepreneurs.
Empowering Hands, Crafting Futures
On November 30, 2023, the training officially commenced with 21 village women joining the inaugural paper bag making lesson. The workshop saw thrilled participation, as the women later demonstrated during a visit to their homes. They proudly displayed dozens of finished bags crafted after just one class, their eyes filled with joy and gratitude for this long-awaited opportunity.
As one woman passionately expressed from her heart, “In so many years, nobody has come and inquired about us out of genuine concern. We are filled with immense hope that these new skills will enrich us all – a new beginning for our community and children.”
A Transformative Beginning
Prior to its launch, a comprehensive survey was conducted in the surrounding villages of the Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam to identify the specific needs and requirements of the women. The Sri Sathya Shubha Dayini was then tailored to address these needs, with a briefing programme which followed, informing women of the skill training and coaching opportunities offered through this initiative.
Vision to Empower Thousands
The Sri Sathya Sai Shubha Dayini initiative aims to empower rural women across the region, enabling economic self-sufficiency to uplift their families. With the eternal blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and his vision that “all women be given opportunities to become self-reliant,” this program strives to transform lives by recognizing that empowering each woman benefits entire communities.
The initiative has joined hands with SAFERWE Foundation as Skill Development Training Partners. It intends to rapidly extend its reach by bringing skill-building, health education and community development to more villages – touching thousands of additional lives through the Sri Sathya Sai Shubha Dayini training workshops.
