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A Single Mother’s Struggle for Survival
Kusum Lata’s journey was marked by immense challenges. As a single mother, she faced not only financial hardship but also depression and the overwhelming responsibility of raising her son alone. Living in a small home with her parents, she struggled daily to provide basic necessities such as food and clothing. Reflecting on those difficult days, she shares, “There were times I felt life was over.”
Determined to create a better future for herself and her child, Kusum Lata enrolled in the CBN Foundation’s Women’s Livelihood Programme, where she received sewing and tailoring skills training designed to help women achieve financial independence.
Learning New Skills and Rebuilding Confidence
When Kusum Lata joined the sewing training programme, she believed she already knew the basics of tailoring. However, the structured training helped her discover new techniques and improve her craftsmanship.
“I believed I knew enough, but the training opened my eyes to finer details,” she recalls.
Through the programme’s supportive learning environment and mentorship from experienced trainers, she gained practical skills in fabric selection, product design, quality finishing, and marketing. More importantly, the training helped restore her confidence and gave her a renewed sense of direction.
Turning Dreams into Reality
For years, Kusum Lata worked with an old second-hand sewing machine that limited her ability to take on more work. Thanks to the support of CBN Foundation donors, she received a sewing machine and an iron—tools she had hoped to own for nearly a decade.
The support transformed more than her work; it transformed her outlook on life. “It gave me purpose again,” she says.
With proper equipment, she was able to manage customer orders more efficiently and continue strengthening her tailoring business.
Creating a Sustainable Livelihood
Armed with new skills and tools, Kusum Lata began earning an average of ₹5,000 per month from home. This income helped her support her son while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Encouraged by her progress, she started pursuing an even bigger dream. “This is just the start,” she says, as she works toward establishing her own tailoring centre to equip other women with the skills needed for financial independence.
From Student to Trainer
Today, Kusum Lata has come full circle. She now serves as a trainer at the CBN Foundation’s sewing centre, teaching women from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds the same skills that changed her life.
Speaking about this new chapter, she proudly says, “I’m proud to be a trainer at the sewing centre.”
Alongside mentoring other women, she manages her own tailoring orders, including online customers. The experience has boosted her confidence and expanded her opportunities for growth.
A Dream Fulfilled
The support of the CBN Foundation has played a significant role in helping Kusum Lata build a brighter future for herself and her son. Looking back on how far she has come, she shares, “It feels like my dream has come true.”
Today, she encourages other women to enroll in skill development programmes and pursue financial independence. Her remarkable journey from depression to empowerment was recognized at the Women’s Day felicitation programme, where she received the Adamya Nari Samman 2026 in Mangolpuri.