A Journey of Courage and Independence​

Distance from the city and the challenges of intellectual disability may have widened the road to the life she deserves — but Keerthana has the strength to walk every mile with confidence and hope.

 

Keerthana joined the Samvardhana Resource Centre, run by Seva-in-Action (SiA) in Ramanagara, at the young age of 9 years. Through consistent guidance, she participated in pre-vocational activities and skill development programs that helped her build independence, work discipline, and confidence.

 

Her determination and curiosity led her to express a dream — to open a small provision store beside her home in her village. Recognizing her enthusiasm, SiA extended full support to make this dream a reality.

​

Support from Family and SiA​

Keerthana’s parents have been her greatest strength. Her father owns a salon, and her mother works as an Assistant Teacher at the Samvardhana Resource Centre. Together, they supported Keerthana in every step of her journey toward independence.

​

SiA helped Keerthana’s mother avail support through the Government of Karnataka’s “Udyogini Scheme”, designed to promote women’s entrepreneurship. Under this scheme, Keerthana’s mother received training through the Department of Women & Child Welfare, Ramanagara, and a loan of ₹50,000 with a ₹15,000 subsidy to start the family’s small business.

​

Starting Her Own Venture

​

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many livelihoods were affected, Keerthana and her mother took a bold step forward. In October 2020, they opened a provision store near their home. The shop has been running successfully ever since, with a daily income ranging between ₹500–₹800.

 

Keerthana took in-service training with her mother to learn how to stock and arrange products, identify items, and communicate with customers. She is also learning money-handling skills, slowly mastering the concepts of counting and transactions.

​

An Inspiration in Her Community​

Today, Keerthana is not just earning — she is leading life as an entrepreneur, working alongside her mother and contributing to the household income. Her story symbolizes self-reliance, empowerment, and the impact of inclusive vocational training.

Her family now lives a happy and self-sufficient life, filled with pride in Keerthana’s achievements.

​

Quote from SiA Team:

​

“Keerthana’s journey reminds us that with support and opportunity, determination can turn challenges into triumphs. She is an example for many young women to follow.”