Barli Institute, India​

Mona Partner Since 2004

Providing a six-month residential program in literacy, numeracy, vocational skills, and community development, giving young women from Madhya Pradesh’s rural villages the confidence and tools to earn an income, live a life of their choosing, advocate for equality, and lead social transformation in their communities.

Sangli’s Story : Growing up in a family of seasonal migrant laborers, Sangli was expected to follow the same path as her parents and eight siblings. But she dreamed of a different future: learning tailoring and opening her own business.

When her family refused to let her enroll at Barli Institute, Sangli saved her wages from seasonal work and bought a sewing machine. After seeing her determination, her family agreed to let her join Barli Institute's six-month vocational training program, where she developed tailoring, leadership, and life skills.

Today, thanks to the support of Barli Institute, Sangli runs her own tailoring business and has installed a solar cooker in her home, sharing its benefits with her neighbors and promoting renewable energy and environmental conservation in her community. She is able to provide a steady income for her family and has transformed their outlook on education, turning those who once opposed her dreams into her strongest supporters.



Sangli shares:

"I always knew that if I didn't change my path, my life would remain an endless cycle of migration and labor. Buying that sewing machine was a risk, but it became my ticket to freedom. Barli didn't just teach me how to stitch clothes. It gave me the tools to build a brighter future for my family and my village."