India Development Service

Making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people in India for the last five decades.

Rehabilitation and Income Generation for Burnt Victim Survivors

Project Start Year
2025
Project End Year
2026
NGO Name
Agni Raksha
Project Location
Karnataka
Project Categories
Women Empowerment

Abstract

The project empowers women burn survivors through advanced tailoring skills, financial literacy, and livelihood support, enabling them to build sustainable home-based businesses and regain financial independence and confidence.

Detailed Description

Agni Raksha works with burn survivors, particularly women and girls from economically disadvantaged communities, who often face long-term physical, emotional, and social challenges following severe burn injuries. Since 1999, the organization has reached more than 19,000 burn victims, with nearly 99% belonging to very poor sections of society. With support from IDS, the project provides burn survivors with tailoring skills and financial literacy to help them achieve sustainable economic independence. Approximately 200 women are being trained through a holistic tailoring program based in a 1,200-square-foot training studio. Alongside technical tailoring skills, the program places strong emphasis on confidence-building and encourages participants to become “Solopreneurs” capable of operating businesses independently from their homes. The training center is equipped with professional-grade sewing machines and quality fabrics, allowing participants to develop practical skills and produce marketable products. Graduates create a range of items, including women's clothing and eco-friendly carry bags, providing them with opportunities to generate income and contribute directly to their household finances. So far, 80 survivors from neighborhoods including L.R. Nagar and Goripalya have completed the tailoring modules. The project has helped participants move toward greater self-reliance by combining vocational training with confidence-building and financial skills. One example is Husna, a 30-year-old mother from Yarabnagar. After completing the tailoring training, she established a home-based business and began receiving customers from her neighborhood for customized blouses and frocks. Her experience demonstrates how vocational training can help burn survivors transform their skills into sustainable livelihoods, greater financial independence, and renewed confidence.

Project Manager (India)

Name
Monica Shah

IDS Coordinator

Name
Chitra Dhananjay

Project Documents