Courage and Change

Rathnam Sunthari’s Story

Widowed and struggling, Rathnam rebuilt her life through a Self-Help Group and livelihood programs. She now runs a food business, cultivates groundnuts, and manages a betel plantation, earning Rs. 20,000 monthly—a testament to resilience and empowerment.

Rathnam Sunthari’s journey is a powerful reminder that true change begins with a single decision to keep going—even when the world says stop. When a woman chooses to rise, she carries her whole family with her.

Living in a modest home with her ailing husband and elderly mother, Sunthari bore the heavy burden of survival. Her husband was too sick to work, and her mother required constant care. With no choice but to persist, she worked as a daily labourer, earning just enough for a handful of rice. Some days, they had only one meal.

In 2023, tragedy struck with the passing of her husband. Despite overwhelming sorrow, a quiet strength inside her said, “Don’t stop here.”

Sunthari found hope when she joined a Self-Help Group (SHG) in her village. What began as a small gathering soon became her path forward. With a low-interest loan, she launched a home-based food business that steadily grew as customers kept returning.

A supporting organization granted her access to a small plot near her home where, with training and encouragement, she planted her first crop—groundnuts. She also expanded into home gardening and poultry farming, steadily improving her family’s livelihood.

With additional support from the GTP Livelihood Programme, Sunthari started a betel plantation. Today, this garden earns her nearly Rs. 20,000 monthly, enabling her to build a well, install a motor pump for irrigation, and expand her food business.

“Today, I breathe easier. My family eats well. My home feels peaceful. I stood up when I could have fallen—and that has made all the difference.”

“I Chose to Rise” – Rathnam

Rathnam Sunthari is now a provider, a farmer, a businesswoman, and a pillar of inspiration for women in her community. Her story is a living testament to resilience, courage, and the power of opportunity.