Self-Reliance
“Before the training, we sold our products raw and earned very little. Now I know how to process them myself and earn a fair price. This gives me hope for my children’s future.”
Senchudi, a tribal woman from Jamiguda village, once depended entirely on intermediaries to sell her forest produce. Despite her hard work in collecting hill brooms and tamarind, her income was very low, leaving her unable to meet her children’s basic education and healthcare needs.
Through the Holy Cross Livelihood Training Program, Senchudi acquired essential skills in hill broom processing and value addition to tamarind and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). This training completely transformed her earning potential.
Today, Senchudi is Processing and selling hill brooms at higher market prices and preparing to begin tamarind cleaning, grading, and processing in the next season, and planning to trade additional NTFP products independently and confidently negotiating her own rates, without relying on middlemen.
She proudly shares: “Before the training, we sold our products raw and earned very little. Now I know how to process them myself and earn a fair price. This gives me hope for my children’s future.”
With access to small loans for transportation and trading, she believes she can further increase her income and ensure her family’s long-term stability.
Secure Housing
“For the first time, we sleep without fear. This home has given us safety and peace. I am deeply grateful to the Holy Cross Social Service Society.”
Holy Cross Social Service Society is committed to ensuring that vulnerable families live in safe and dignified homes. One such family is that of Ms. Muddada Thaviatamma, a widow from Ghanasari village, who lived with her daughter in a fragile thatched hut.
For years, their hut offered little protection. During the rainy season, water entered through the roof, soaking their bedding and belongings. Strong winds made the walls shake, and mother and child spent many sleepless nights in fear. With no stable income and no savings, Thaviatamma had no possibility of building a secure home on her own.
When our team visited the village and assessed her situation, we knew immediate support was needed. Through the generous contribution of the SELVIP Foundation, Holy Cross provided all the essential materials required to construct a safe, permanent, and dignified home for Thaviatamma and her daughter, including cement, sand, steel, stones, toilet fittings, and plumbing and electrical supplies.
Today, this family lives in a strong and comfortable house, free from fear and insecurity.
This transformation reflects the heart of our mission to uplift vulnerable families and ensure that every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Girls Rising
“GLOW Club taught me that my voice matters. Now I speak confidently, make my own decisions, and help other girls feel brave too.”
Yadeswari, a young girl from Nulakajodu village, joined the GLOW Club at a time when she felt shy, unsure of herself, and hesitant to speak in front of others. Like many girls in vulnerable communities, she faced social pressures that limited her ability to express her feelings or make independent decisions. Everything began to change when she joined the GLOW Club, a safe and supportive space designed to build girls’ confidence through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) activities.
With guidance from a trained mentor from her own community who understands the challenges girls face, Yadeswari started to discover her strengths. Through weekly hands-on sessions filled with storytelling, teamwork, discussions on health and rights, and decision-making exercises, she gradually learned to use her voice. The GLOW Club helped her communicate clearly, make thoughtful choices, solve problems, and form meaningful friendships with her peers.
Over time, Yadeswari’s confidence grew. She began to share her thoughts and even led small group activities. Her teachers and parents noticed a remarkable change in her communication skills, leadership qualities, and willingness to take initiative. Today, she is one of the most active and engaged members of the GLOW Club, supporting and encouraging other girls to speak up.
Yadeswari proudly says, “GLOW Club taught me that my voice matters. Now I speak confidently, make my own decisions, and help other girls feel brave too.”
Yadeswari’s transformation reflects the true purpose of the GLOW Club—to empower girls with the confidence, skills, and emotional strength they need to shape their own future. Through SEL-based learning and supportive mentoring, girls like Sridevi are becoming leaders who uplift not only themselves but their entire community.
Girls Rising
“LitClub taught me to believe in myself. Now I speak confidently, read stories, and help other girls learn.”
Through the LitClub program, designed to build community, confidence, creativity, and literacy skills among children. In Talada village, one of the young girls who has blossomed through this program is Keerthi, an active and committed member of the LitClub.
Before joining LitClub, Keerthi was shy and hesitant to speak in front of others. Reading felt difficult, and she rarely shared her thoughts or ideas. But everything changed when she became part of the vibrant LitClub community—where children read together, write stories, express their emotions, and develop leadership skills in a safe and joyful environment.
Through weekly sessions led by trained Mentors, Keerthi began to discover her strengths. She learned to read confidently, express herself clearly, and support her peers. Activities such as storytelling, journaling, group discussions, and creative projects helped her build:
Stronger reading and writing skills, Confidence in speaking in groups, Leadership qualities and responsibility, Empathy and the courage to share her ideas, A sense of belonging and community spirit. Today, Keerthi is one of the most active and enthusiastic members of her LitClub. She volunteers to read aloud, helps younger members write stories, and even leads small group activities. Her teachers and parents report a remarkable change in her confidence, communication, and overall attitude toward learning.
Keerthi proudly says: “LitClub taught me to believe in myself. Now I speak confidently, read stories, and help other girls learn.”
Keerthi’s transformation reflects the true purpose of the LitClub program to empower children with the literacy, confidence, and emotional strength they need to succeed in life.