Rebati: December Story of Empowerment

Meet our December 2022 featured student for Stories of Empowerment, Rebati. Rebati is from the Behera Pali village in Balangir, Odisha, and she has six members in her family, including her four children. 

Rebati and her husband had differing views about how they should support their children. Although her husband was out working hard to provide for their family, he suggested that Rebati stay home and not work. However, she is naturally a hard worker and has always had the desire to work. 

Their financial situation became complicated very quickly, considering that only one member was earning for a family of six. The expenses were substantially higher than their family income, and it got to the point that not a single penny would be left by the end of the month. Rebati came to a turning point and decided that she wouldn’t stay at home and would instead find some way to provide for her family. 

When Rebati first heard about the One Life Movement tailoring classes, she decided to take advantage of the opportunity to gain financial independence. Thankfully, her husband and the rest of her family were completely supportive of her taking the time to learn to tailor because they knew this would be a long-term investment into the well-being of their family. 

Before starting the classes, Rebati didn’t even know how a sewing machine worked, but now, she is able to successfully create clothing pieces all by herself. Now that she is able to help provide for her family, Rebati says that she feels so much more confident and now sees the world in a new light. 

The One Life Movement tailoring center in Odisha helps many women just like Rebati gain the financial independence they’ve always dreamed of. Join us in supporting women in need by donating today.