“Unnati” – A New Beginning for the Adolescent Girls of Palpur Village, Kareilly

Palpur, a remote village in Kiara Block of Bareilly district, is home to a mixed community where the majority of families live in poverty and depend solely on farming for their livelihood. During off-seasons, many migrate to cities to work as labourers. Due to such economic struggles, education, especially for adolescent girls, has taken a back seat. Most girls are forced to drop out of school due to financial issues and household responsibilities. However, beneath these challenges lies a strong desire among them to learn and grow.

Recognizing this hidden potential, Bareilly Diocesan Social Service Centre (BDSSC) initiated a social development program in Palpur village in September 2024. They formed a group of adolescent girls, named “Unnati Adolescent Girls Group” — a name that symbolizes progress and upliftment.

On 13th November 2024, the BDSSC team conducted a career guidance session. This session turned out to be a turning point for the girls. They openly shared the reasons behind dropping out of school — mostly financial constraints. Together, they discussed how learning a skill could help them earn and continue their studies

simultaneously. With excitement and hope in their eyes, the girls unanimously decided to start learning tailoring.

Responding to their aspiration, BDSSC launched a 4-month tailoring course starting from 10th December 2024. The training not only helped the girls learn stitching techniques but also boosted their confidence and self-worth with various type of Motivation classes.

After completing the course, many girls began earning by stitching clothes locally. On average, each girl now earns Rs. 1500–2000 per month, contributing to their family's income. Among them, Neelam, Kavita, and Swati emerged as true success stories. They showed entrepreneurial spirit by starting their own small tailoring shops. With their earnings, they even bought high-quality sewing machines and resumed their formal education, proving that dreams can be revived with the right support.

Today, these girls are independent, confident, and hopeful. They are not only earning but also inspiring other girls in their village to follow the same path. The Unnati Group has truly lived up to its name — helping adolescent girls take charge of their future with dignity and determination.