Amrita SeRVe Village Update: Women in Sarai, Uttar Pradesh Step Towards Sustainable Livelihoods

A transformative journey toward community-led economic empowerment is underway in Sarai village, where women are actively building skills and exploring sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The initiative traces back to October 2025, when a group of 10 Self-Help Group (SHG) women from Sarai visited the HCL Foundation office as part of an exposure visit. The visit provided valuable insights into handcrafted products created by women artisans, inspiring participants to envision similar opportunities within their own community.

Building on this experience, sustained coordination between Aajeevika – National Rural Livelihood Mission and AMMACHI Labs has enabled the launch of on-ground training programs in Sarai. These sessions are conducted by skilled trainers under the supervision of the HCL Foundation, ensuring both quality and continuity in learning.

Currently, women in the village are being trained in crafting decorative items using locally available Mung grass—a resource-based approach that promotes sustainability while creating viable income streams. The initiative is designed to ensure that production remains rooted within the village, strengthening local economies.

Upon completion of the three-month training program, participants will benefit from structured market linkages facilitated by HCL and NRLM, helping them transition from skill-building to income generation. Additionally, each participant will receive an incentive of ₹1,000 upon successfully completing the training.

With 20 women already enrolled, the program marks a significant step forward in fostering financial independence, skill development, and collective growth within the community.

• SDG 1: No Poverty
  Creates sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural women through skill development and income generation.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
  Empowers women by building skills, confidence, and financial independence through Self-Help Groups and training.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  Enhances employability and supports local entrepreneurship through market-linked production initiatives.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  Promotes the use of locally available Mung grass for eco-friendly product development and sustainable practices.