Vanmathi’s Story: Skills are the Key to Success

Emerging from formal education at the age of 22, Vanmathi found herself struggling to find employment. Vanmathi was a bright girl and not uneducated; after finishing 12th Standard at a girls’ government school in Ambattur, she completed a 4-year BE course at Veltech College, Avadi. Despite this, Vanmathi struggled to access the job market as she lacked practical skills and experience. Her father works as a driver and her mother is a housewife, while her older brother works for a small company in Chennai. Her family’s financial situation meant that skills training courses were out of reach for Vanmathi.

By sheer fortune, a friend came to Vanmathi’s aid by recommending Sevalaya’s Community College in Ambattur. Vanmathi’s friend had recently completed a Tally course there, and conveyed Sevalaya’s provision of free practical skills training to her. Soon enough, by November 2017, Vanmathi herself had enrolled onto Sevalaya’s 4.5 month E-publishing course. Sevalaya’s Community College equipped her not only with publishing skills, but with a chance to take Spoken English and yoga classes alongside other young people in a similar position. Speaking of her experience at the Community College, Vanmathi expressed that ‘it became like a family to me’.

Now, having started an internship at Flatirons Jouve in Chennai, Vanmathi has secured her place in the job market. This internship, organised by Sevalaya’s Community College, is the start of a prosperous working life for her – one that she hopes will fulfil her lifelong ambition of being able to support her family. Vanmathi’s story is a perfect example of how practical skills training can transform a life – Sevalaya is immensely proud to have supported Vanmathi and wishes her all the best for the future.

Sangeetha's Story: an empowered entrepreneur

Sangeetha lives with her mother, father and her younger sister. She dreamt of a career in the fashion industry but, when her father had an accident, she had to drop out of her BBA beacause of financial difficulty. The family were forced to sell many of their possessions to send their youngest daughter to College, because, as a young woman in the workplace, many were attempting to exploit her.

Sangeetha took a year out, then did a short fashion design course, but was unsure where to go next; she knew she would need practical skills, not just a degree, to get her into a decent job. Her father’s physiotherapist recommended Sevelaya Community College in Ambattur. Here, she was able to join a free course in Tally, which were previously not an option for Sangeetha as Tally courses can costs between Rs. 25 to 30 thousand. Armed with her new skills, she is now in her final year of BBA correspondance and has a CCO role at LE Service Centre.

When speaking of her 4 months at Sevalaya, the 21 year old expressed how it was so much more than a Tally course. Students are taught typing, spoken English and yoga, as well as the practical training; Sangeetha explains this made her feel a much more confident in herself. In her own words: ‘I wouldn’t even mind coming to class on Sundays!’ She still aspires to get involved with business and fashion, ultimately opening her own boutique. Sevalaya wishes Sangeetha every success and is excited to see what else the future holds for this talented young woman.