Story about Sajiyo Devi, a tribal woman of Setrawa village and member of a self help group running under our Sheerni Self Help Group project.

Sajiyo Devi lives roughly two kilometers from the Sambhali Trust's Empowerment center of Setrawa village. Just over two weeks ago her husband, Prahalad Ram, died. It was a sudden death and came as a big shock to the family. Sajiyo has seven children, five daughters and 2 sons. Three of her daughters age 13ish, 14ish and around 15ish are already married. The 13ish year old is yet to go to her husband's house (sitting next to Sajiyo in the picture). Sajiyo therefore is now the sole provider for five children. Prahalad Ram worked in the local stone mine for the past several years and during this time he became ill due to inhalation (Silicosis). As his health deteriorated he was forced to spend long periods of time resting at home. Due to the circumstances, his wife Sajiyo had to begin working at the stone mine in order to provide roof, food and cloth for the family. She has worked there for the last six years. During this time she was responsible for the costs of her three daughters weddings and the medicine for her husband, alongside the day to day costs of living. Sajiyo has been part of the Sheerni SHG project for the last fifteen months; always making regular repayments. Upon hearing the news of the death of Sajiyo's husband, we at the Trust decided that the Sambhali Trust should help her and her family. The Trust will help her set up a new profession, such as purchasing an animal or running a shop, so that she does not have to return to the stone mine and potentially meet the same fate as her husband. Dear readers, you are more than welcome to come and visit Sajiyo and her family on your next trip to Jodhpur or Setrawa. We really hope to hear from yourselves to contribute for a better and risk free future for Sajiyo and her family.

9. December 2011