Usha is one of our fastest embroiderers and takes great pride in her pieces.

• With an orthodox father, Usha was married at a young age and began embroidering as a hobby initially.
• When the opportunity to learn new designs and earn a fair trade wage came along, Usha seized it and eagerly began improving her embroidery skills.
• Her day begins at 5:30am and includes cooking, sending her husband and children off to work and school, cleaning, then working on embroidery.
• Usha has modern views on the roles of women and hopes that her children will have the opportunity to do the things she was never able to do-like go to college.

Usha has a very succinct answer when you ask her about her dreams: "What I didn't get to do myself, I will make sure my daughters will get to do."

• One of her daughters dreams about becoming a doctor and the other dreams about becoming a nurse.
• Usha's oldest son is studying homeopathy, and she's very excited that she's able to contribute to his education each month.
• Usha dreams about the day when her children have all graduated from school and are happily working in careers they are passionate about

Our difference in Usha's life manifests itself in economic opportunities, but this is only the beginning.

• She takes advantage of food security loans, health benefits, and free educational books.
• Skills-creation and capacity building exercises allow Usha to improve multiple aspects of her life as she enjoys financial independence.
• Making money earns respect in the slums of Ahmedabad. Usha loves being able to contribute financially to her family-her husband's respect means more than the money itself.