Work in pairs. Find out what talent your friend has. Then join another pair and think of how you can use your talents to earn a living when you grow up.
Here is a story of Seema Deka and her daughter Swati. It is titled 'A New Day, A New Way'. Can you guess why?
Read the story to find out.
It was early evening. Seema Deka drew the window curtains of her living room. She felt very tired. Without switching on the light, she sat on the edge of her bed, lost in thought. She recalled what Kalpana ma' am, the Manager of her office had told her before closing time: "Look Seema, it'll take a few days to pay the staff their salary this month. Please tell the others too."
Seema was quite upset by the information, although her mood didn't show on her face. She needed twelve thousand rupees to pay Swati's school fees and she was depending on her salary to make the payment. And now ...
"Maa, what are you doing sitting in this dark room?" Swati flung the door open and switched on the light. "You look worried, Maa. What's the matter?"
"The salary for this month will be late. I'm wondering about..."
"The fees? Don't worry, Maa. We'll figure out something."
Seema looked at Swati 's calm and resolute face. She looked so mature, Seema thought. And yet she was only in Class X. The face of her late husband came to her mind. He had passed away nearly five years ago. She imagined how proud Swati's father would have been of her. He would have been even more proud to know that
his dear little Swati was adored by her teachers and her classmates at school.
“You know, Maa!” Swati started. She began to tell her mother about a lady from an N·GO who had visited their school to create• awareness on "Entrepreneurship Development and Self Reliance". Swati suggested to her mother that they could try the NGO for some help. She looked at her diary where she had jotted down the number of the lady's mobile phone, and rang het up. She introduced herself, reminding her of her visit to their school. She also told the lady about her mother and so sought her guidance to start a small business. The lady sounded very warm and helpful and told Swati to send her mother to her office 'Brave Mother' the next day at 10 o'clock in the morning.
Swati was overjoyed at the lady's response. She hugged her mother tightly and told her everything would be all right. Seema couldn't hide her tears. How quickly her little girl had grown up!
The following morning Seema met the lady and talked to her about her hopes of setting up a small business. The lady took her to a large room where a group of women were stitching soft dolls. The women wore blue sarees and aprons and had Brave Mothers embossed on their dress. The lady explained to Seema that their NGO was a self-help group. "We offer vocational training in a variety of fields like toy making, embroidery, tailoring, culinary arts, mobile phone' repairing and so on''.
"Seema, tell me what you are good at. We'll give you training in that area. Once you finish your training, you'll be offered a small loan to start a business. Besides, you will be mentored at every stage by our team," said the lady warmly. "I would like to choose culinary training as a vocation since I love cooking," said Seema. The lady appreciated Seema's confidence and gave her an idea of the business potential in this area. She said, "We offer catering services such as tiffin services to office goers and working women staying in paying guest accommodation. You'll be trained to cook the different recipes that we serve for lunch and dinner. You will also learn about packing and handling. You will have to assure your customers of good quality food and hygienic standards." Seema looked a bit confused, although she listened attentively. Sensing her confusion, the lady clarified that she need not worry. Seema would operate on her own, and to start with, the NGO would assign thirty of their valued customers to her. She would be given a loan amount to set up her own kitchen at home. Based on Seema's performance, she would be assigned more customers. Since Seema needed money immediately, the lady also assured her that her loan would be sanctioned even before her training. A savings account would be opened in a bank in her name where she would be able to deposit her savings. The lady added, "All our members contribute money to a common pool so that it can help another woman like you. So, Seema are you ready?"
Seema couldn't hide her excitement. "Yes, Madam!" She responded enthusiastically.
It was going to be all right, though Seema, as she headed back home. It was a bright, sunny day, and Seema thought the sun was shining more brightly on her today. Her heart brimmed with new dreams and the smile around the comer of her lips broadened like a flower in bloom. She couldn't wait to get home and tell Swati the good news. Together, they would build a new future!
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