She Is Priceless: JoyCorps
by Mercy House Global 1K Lives Impacted India
Karma’s Story All too often, women in marginalized societies are told they’re the problem. Simply because they were born female and poor, they ...
All too often, women in marginalized societies are told they’re the problem. Simply because they were born female and poor, they are at risk of abuse, illness, social ostracism, and exploitation.
At JOYN, we believe these women are the solution, not the problem. When they have the right tools, women in marginalized societies are able to rise above poverty and change the future for generations to come.
We’d like to introduce you to one of them. Meet our beautiful Karma.
Karma grew up in poverty in the mountains of Tibet. Lured by the promise of work in India, she and her husband left their two-year-old son behind in the care of his grandparents with the idea that they’d come back for him once they were settled. They were unable to find jobs, yet without the proper paperwork, they were stuck in India and apart from their son for three years.
Karma and her husband were thrilled when they finally found work at JOYN. We helped them obtain documentation so Karma could return to Tibet for her son, Sonam. She walked for two weeks over the mountains, by foot, to be reunited with him.
At JOYN Karma has learned valuable job skills and now manages a team of stitchers. She and her husband are able to send Sonam to a good school and, with a small loan, were able to purchase a scooter for the family last year. Karma has taken English and computer classes and is a bright student. And thanks to good healthcare, she delivered healthy baby girl, Namsel, last year.
Because we’ve made our workplaces child-friendly with a nursery, playground, and full-time nanny, mothers like Karma can continue working after they have babies. The dual income is important to her, as is the community she has found at work.
We have not changed Karma’s story. She has. She only lacked access to certain tools like steady employment, job training, education, and healthcare. Now that she’s thriving, Karma is so happy to know that her children will not grow up in poverty as she did. The cycle is broken: not only do her children have a future, but they also have a loving support network in their JOYN family.
Meena was forced into an abusive marriage at a young age, and when she was just 16, desperation drove her to attempt suicide. Meena survived, but she endured extensive burns to her entire body and an excruciating recovery. It was in the hospital that a nun whispered in her ear, sharing the gospel with her and giving her hope.
Meena began working as a stitcher for JOYN, and her joy and laughter around the office are infectious. Her experiences have given her incredible compassion for others, and she is a natural nurturer.
Meena’s scars were causing her daily pain and interfering with her work, but on the fourth anniversary of her accident, we received a donation for the full amount needed to pay for corrective surgery! Since then she has undergone several surgeries to repair her face, lips, and neck to alleviate her pain. Last year, Meena married a wonderful man and continues to thrive both personally and professionally.
Beautiful Malti always has a smile on her face, even though she spent her youth on the street digging through trash to find bottles for money. But Malti is a hard worker who dreamed of more. At the age of 16, she joined a local nonprofit and got some job training. Soon after, she landed a job with JOYN.
Though surrounded by a sea of peers who had chosen lives of begging, Malti never gave in. She has an air of dignity hidden beneath her giggly young exterior. When you look at Malti, you would never guess that she is the main breadwinner for her household. She works a full-time job as a stitcher for one of our partner businesses and then goes home to care for three siblings.
After the requisite eight months working full-time, Malti couldn’t wait to approach the local community board with a formal proposal she’d written out—a request for a $200 micro loan. With this money she could finally secure a lawyer to help her recover land that was rightfully hers but had been taken by a family member. She got her land back! And now she and her sibling are off the streets—all because of $200. Within a few months, Malti had paid back her loan in full. She continues to work hard and thrive at JOYN.
India
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