The individual is seen at the sewing school in India

When we, on a project trip for the Danish European Mission, look into the beautiful eyes of these women who light up despite their life situation, we are filled with joy about the work that the Danish European Mission's improvers and donors are helping to support among vulnerable women in southern India.

The history of Saumi

Saumi, a 28-year-old widow, comes to the sewing school every day. Her husband died in the summer of 2022 from a snake bite while working in the field. "She was deeply traumatized by suddenly being left alone at such a young age and could do nothing but cry. It was almost impossible to reach her and bring faith in the future, but after many visits with her, talking and praying, she slowly started to open up and is now attending our sewing school." Stella explains. Stella runs the sewing school and is clearly affected by Saumi's situation, but at the same time has an unwavering faith that Saumi will rise up in life and discover that God's love can transform her life.

When we greet Saumi, she looks directly at us with a big smile. She eagerly talks about what she has learned at the sewing school and her hopes to earn her own money. Only afterwards did we get her backstory and were encouraged by the difference the project staff have made for her.

Although it's difficult to leave home every day, she says she wouldn't miss the community of other women for anything, and that learning to sew also helps her focus on the future, rather than what she has lost.

Three times a day, a new group of women arrive to learn how to sew and embroider so they can become self-sufficient and help their families cope better. After six months of sewing classes, they receive an officially recognized certificate that they can use to apply for jobs in the textile industry. The women can also sew at home or come and sew at the sewing school where they can use the facilities.

Good job opportunities

In India, most women still wear the sari, a five-meter long piece of cloth that you wrap around you and a blouse. They are beautifully embroidered, some smaller than others, depending on the occasion. There are good earning opportunities here. The project receives orders for blouses and other items from the local community and is working to get larger orders for school uniforms from Christian schools, so the women can stay in the good community of the sewing school while earning their own money.

Some poor women spend most of their time at home, as housewives in their in-laws' families, and have no one to talk to about their worries. When they arrive at the sewing school, Stella says, they are therefore very insecure and discouraged, and have no desire to open up to anyone. However, it doesn't take long before they open up when they feel seen and cared for through counseling, pastoral care and prayer in one-on-one sessions. As they become comfortable with each other, they can also use that community to vent their worries and joys.

"We experience women who openly talk about their problems and who, after prayer and conversation, come beaming with joy and tell us about a new peace and answers to prayer".