MEET RENUKA DAS

AGE: 30
SINGLE [widowed] MOTHER OF 2

Renu is a widowed, 30-year old single mother to two kids - a 10 yr old daughter and a 6 yr old son. She was married at the age of 18, and not long after their second child was born, her husband passed away, leaving her to find a way to support her family on her own. She had already begun working at the sewing center part-time before his death, but after his passing, she took her work much more seriously because her children's lives depended on her. Her son studies at Food for Life's Sandipani Muni school (where our sewing center is located) and that is how she gets help from Food for Life. 

Her work at the sewing center has given her the strength and confidence to be able to take care of herself and her children. Renu has been working there for 8 years, and the people at the center are like her family. If she has any problems, there is always somebody there to help her. Renu tells us, "To everyone, thank you so much. I will never forget what you have done for me." She feels blessed that everyone who works at the center treats her like a sister and gives her son so much love and affection. Now, with the Made With a Purpose project, she has a renewed sense of excitement because she has more work and a more stable opportunity to earn a proper living. It gives her relief to know that she can take care of her kids. She is thrilled with the opportunity to make these bags and is excited to learn new skills as we develop the product line. Renu says, "With your blessings and faith, we all will only get better."