A Leader against all odds: SeethaMahalakshmi

SeethaMahalakshmi completed only primary education before she ended up as a housemaid in Machilipaatnam town. She was married at a very early age and was burdened with an alcoholic husband who never earned or cared for the family. Seetha’s life was one of misery and full of challenges. She often contemplated suicide until she came across BalaVIkasa in the year 1994.  Life has never been the same since she started as a BV group member. She began with the savings of Rs.10 in her group.  She took her first loan of Rs. 1000, fifteen years ago and started egg business. She then took loans at regular intervals and started tailoring and rice business. She also received regular training and attended motivation classes held by BV staff. 

Despite the many impediments and hardships in her life –an unemployed husband, entire responsibility of running the household, death of her son-in-law leaving her daughter with an infant son, and other domestic problems- today, the 58 year old Seetha is a very successful woman, and an accomplished leader. With her increased confidence and earnings, she not only caters to her family’s needs, but even has a savings of Rs.50,000 in the bank. In spite of resistance from the villagers, she has even got her widowed daughter re-married after teaching her tailoring to make her self-reliant.  Nothing has deterred her from holding the mantle of leadership as a successful SHA committee member in the Machilipatnam area.

The turning point in her life was her talks with the founder of BalaVikasa , fondly called Balakka, and the inspiring lessons she learnt from her. She has moved ahead in life, accepting her leadership role to serve the society. She is now a dynamic leader who has never compromised on her personal and family responsibilities. Seetha is indeed a true leader against all odds.