From Volunteer to Entrepreneur: How Joshna is redefining what it means for women in her village to be independent

Joshna, from Assam’s Jorhat district, first joined Pratham in 2008 as a volunteer for one of our children’s summer learning camps and nearly two decades later, still remains committed to supporting learning initiatives in her community! But her passion for learning has extended far beyond education as at 45, Joshna continues to sharpen her skills with the plan of owning and running her beauty business.

Carving her own path

Living with her mother, brother, sister-in-law, two nephews, and niece, Joshna has always sought financial independence. Her brother, the village head, is the sole earning member of the family, but his farming income isn’t enough to support everyone. Determined to carve her own path, Joshna chose not to marry and instead dedicated herself to serving her village.

Educating the next generation

In 2016, Joshna reconnected with Pratham and began leading two Children’s Clubs, where children in Grades 3-8 regularly meet for engaging reading and maths activities. Over the years, she has helped more than 200 children strengthen their learning. She also plays an active role in her community, organising science fairs, sports competitions, and local meetings to help foster a love for education amongst the village’s children.

Her commitment to learning has also made an impact within her own family. Joshna helped her niece, Bhairobi, improve in her studies by showing her sister-in-law simple teaching methods, empowering her to take an active role in her daughter’s education.

Turning a passion into a profession

Whilst continuing her volunteer work, Joshna then took another bold step in August 2022—enrolling in a 60-day beautician course under Pratham’s livelihood programme. The training, which combines virtual and in-person sessions, is designed to help women build sustainable businesses. After completing the course, she received a makeup kit and started offering beauty services in her village, quickly gaining recognition. With no other makeup artists nearby and demand for her skills increasing, she soon began earning Rs 5,000-6,000 (around £50) per month.

Determined to expand her expertise, Joshna completed Pratham’s three-day bridal makeup training in October 2024. This additional training not only enhanced her skills but also increased her earning potential. Though she dreams of opening her own beauty parlour, for now, she travels by bike to provide makeup services for weddings, birthdays, and other events—saving money to turn her entrepreneurial dream into reality.

Breaking barriers and inspiring change

Reflecting on her journey, Joshna said: “People often see an unmarried woman as a burden to her family. I never wanted to be that. Pratham gave me the opportunity to change my life, and now I’m determined to not only become independent but also support my family.”

From empowering children through education to forging her own career path, Joshna’s journey is one of resilience and ambition! She is not just transforming her own life but inspiring a new generation of learners and entrepreneurs in her village.