• Utthan Team
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Hema’s Journey: From Lost Dreams to Leading Change in Her Community

Hema’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and rediscovered purpose. Growing up in Khajuri village with aspirations for higher education, she hoped to build a future beyond traditional roles. But financial hardships, family pressures, and the untimely passing of her father forced her dreams to halt. Her marriage, arranged soon after, shifted her responsibilities toward household duties and raising her young family, leaving little space for her personal ambitions.

 

Despite these challenges, Hema’s desire to contribute meaningfully to her community never faded. When she began attending meetings of the Vanita Shakti Mahila Sangathan, she found a space that nurtured her curiosity, confidence, and leadership. Slowly but steadily, she grew into an active participant — attending training sessions, supporting women, and even contributing to a UNICEF vaccination initiative in 2014–15. Each step reinforced her belief that she could make a difference, not just within her home, but in her entire village.

 

Hema’s transformation deepened in 2022 when she joined Utthan’s work on forest land rights. She engaged wholeheartedly in collective and individual claim processes, supporting her community to secure their entitlements. Her determination, consistent involvement, and empathy earned her recognition as a strong grassroots leader. Today, Hema stands as a symbol of how empowerment, opportunity, and support systems like federations can help women reclaim their dreams and lead change in their communities.