Bhagyeshwari Kambli was born in Anjuna, where she went to school until 10th grade, but as soon as she would get back home, Bhagyeshwari would find herself doing household work or other duties for her parents.
Today, Bhagyeshwari wishes she had studied further and acknowledges that her life could have turned out very differently.
Despite her efforts, money has always been a synonym of scarcity. And the fact that her husband had problems with alcohol didn’t help. He earned hardly any income, which put more pressure on Bhagyeshwari shoulders, who had to rely on her mother’s financial help to cover for her daughter’s education.
Looking out for better opportunities, Bhagyeshwari found a job at a hotel, where she used to work 12 hours a day, every single day. But that didn’t last long.
Struggling to find work, she met Carla and Farida who introduced her to Project Três. Joining them, Bhagyeshwari found hope and a new level of fulfillment in their work, where she could finally receive decent pay and fair work conditions for her efforts.
Knowing that she will get paid 50 euros every month (which is 10x more than before joining the project), gives her peace of mind, and trust that she can keep providing for herself.
Life did take a harder turn when Bhagyeshwari's husband and mother passed away, leaving her to support herself and her daughter alone, financially and emotionally.
Project Três became her lifeline, providing not just income, but also companionship and a sense of purpose. The workplace is where she feels the most authentic self, able to share her experiences with other women who go through similar challenges and find inspiration and support in one another.
With the money earned, she managed household expenses and medical procedures, as well as recovering her sense of pride, as she can finally earn herself a living even though COVID-19 has made everything more challenging in financial terms.
The costs of living are higher than ever, the expenses keep going up and Bhagyeshwari can barely afford items like an umbrella and raincoat, which are essential during monsoon in India. But Bhagyeshwari faces all that with her head high, showing deep gratitude for Carla and Farida, the local leader of Project Três.
It’s humbling and inspiring to see the willpower of a 58-year-old woman who hasn’t been given enough opportunities in life but won’t ever give up.
Her charisma, her laughter, and the joy on her face as she describes even the most challenging details of her journey, such as annoying monkeys who destroy her roof, are fuel for Project Três to keep supporting women who need a safe space to come together, embrace their vulnerabilities and turn them into a relentless force that can transform their lives.
One at a time.
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