The Women of Laxmi Self Help Group are setting an example by actively leading the aforesaid initiatives for their Income Generation. Purvanchal Gramin Sewa Samiti met these women during the Swaraksha Anti Human Trafficking Program of Caritas India with the objective to empower them so that they can prevent themselves from being trafficked & can avoid migration. Staying in the proximity to the Nepal Border of Nichlol area there is maximum chances of Women, Youth, and Children of being trafficked or get into unsafe migration, seeing this peril women of this area were sensitized on Human Trafficking effects and simultaneously they were encouraged to do something for their income generation. After a small Training and Orientation at the community level these women stepped ahead through one of the Income Generation initiatives that is the making of Incense sticks through Self Help Groups. The Responsibility of this Group was given to Savitri Devi who was elected as the President of the group. She made sure everyone is aware of their welfare rights which will reduce their vulnerability to human trafficking. However, she also tried to build the capacities of the people on dealing with the accident of Human Trafficking and now she aspires to have an Incense company in the name of her SHGs Laxmi.

PGSS is trying to fulfill the dreams of the women of Laxmi SHG and joining hands the organization tried to promote this small initiative by showcasing their product for sale in the district trade expo. This was an opportunity for these women when they got the platform to sell their products at a larger platform. After approaching the District Administration and meeting all the terms and conditions regarding the placement of the stall with several other commodities including incense sticks, the group was permitted to be a part of the trade expo for four days from 11 to 14 Jan2020.

The stall allotted by the Government was not only for selling the product but also to encourage the women who made these products.

Not only the women but also the youth girls’ groups got the chance to place their teddy bear, fancy toys and cushions in the same stall. These products were liked and purchased by visitors.

These toys were made by the youth Girls of Renghaiya Village who were astonished when they came to know that their skills are being exhibited in the District trade fare & anyone can purchase them. It was a time of Celebration for these Girls because their products were sold in the market. Among these girls, Shashikala was happier as she cannot express her happiness through words. Coming from Renghaiya village Shashi Kala is not able to hear and speak. When she was asked who made this, she smiled and said, I. She is presently a role-model for hundreds of children and adults in her community. She has been selected as a teacher in one of the schools for differently-abled children and continues to make her parents proud by earning livelihood for the family. She is also making sure that such vulnerabilities do not contribute to a scenario such as Human Trafficking in her as well as in other’s life. The skills of these women and youth girls used in making incense stick, fancy toys and bags were not only recognized but was acknowledged when people purchased them. Four days around Rs. 10000 were earned by selling these products. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh with District Magistrate and CDPO visited this expo to encourage the group members from different areas.