Area: Skill Development
24 year old Avishek Patek resides in village Padrauna, nestled in Kushi Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. A member of a farmer family, he has faced the challenge of hearing loss since a young age. Yet, his stanch spirit and resilience proves that no obstacle is insurmountable.
Avishek lived with his parents, three brothers, and grandparents, who grappled with age-related illnesses. The family relied on the meagre income from their farm to make ends meet. Despite completing his education up to the 12th standard, Avishek reluctantly worked as an embroiderer for a clothing company. While this job contributed to the family’s income, it lacked the passion and fulfilment he longed for in his professional life.
Despite facing what many would perceive as a physical disadvantage, his dedication and perseverance shone through as he progressed alongside his fellow trainees.
His life significantly turned when he discovered a promotional pamphlet for Project Unnati. This initiative offered him a glimmer of hope and the possibility of a brighter future. Despite initial apprehension due to his physical condition, the project’s ethos of inclusivity embraced him wholeheartedly. Project Unnati offered him the opportunity to train as a certified Sewing Machine Operator, opening doors to a career that aligned with his interests.
Driven by the prospect of enhancing his career prospects, Avishek eagerly enrolled in the program, seizing the chance to broaden his horizons. Despite facing what many would perceive as a physical disadvantage, his dedication and perseverance shone through as he progressed alongside his fellow trainees.
As he nears the culmination of his training, Avishek, with his newfound skills and confidence, he envisions a career in the apparel manufacturing industry, eager to contribute to his family’s welfare like his siblings. For Avishek, Project Unnati has not only provided him with vocational training but also instilled in him a sense of empowerment and purpose.
Over the past year, Project Unnati has trained over 350 young men and women as Sewing Machine Operators, with 164 of them securing direct placements in the apparel sector. This initiative aims to foster a sustainable skill-based ecosystem, equipping youth with market-oriented skills that pave the way for sustainable livelihoods. This is one of the many success stories created through projects by Roots Foundation and Acuity Knowledge Partners.
