Just in From India:

Meet Sandhaya

Sandhaya is part of the project where your gift went!

Name: Sandhaya Kumari

Age: 33

Country: India

Project: Bihar Sustainable Livelihood Development project

Occupation: Community Animal Health Worker

Husband: Mahesh Pandit Children: Priyanshu Kumar (14) and Khushi Kumari (12)

Characteristics: Resilient, Hardworking, Generous

From a young age, Sandhaya Kumari loved learning, especially math. She helped her mother at home but refused to skip school — waking up at 5 in the morning to cook and clean. Though she dreamed of becoming a doctor, her family couldn’t afford the education. They lived in a bamboo and mud home with three rooms: two for Sandhaya, her parents and her three older siblings, and one for the family’s two cows.

After grade 10, Sandhaya’s family pressured her to marry. Despite her objections, she reluctantly married Mahesh Pandit and moved to his village. Even though she had only completed grade 10, she was more educated than everyone in the clan. Two years after moving, Sandhaya returned to school and completed grades 11 and 12.

Sandhaya had two children, Priyanshu Kumar and Khushi Kumari, yet she felt unfulfilled doing only chores and caring for her kids.

Her husband, who struggled with mental health issues, was not working, so they depended on extended family. When her son fell ill, she couldn’t even pay for his hospital care, fueling her frustration.

Even though Sandhaya was educated, there were no work opportunities for her. For a while she found a job organizing meetings, but her worsening health forced her to quit. Dejected and unsatisfied with how her life was going, Sandhaya knew something had to change.

Have a Question for Sandhaya?

Sandhaya’s story is still unfolding, and you are an important part of her journey! Your thoughtful questions let her know she’s not alone — and inspire her to keep moving forward.

Submit your questions for Sandhaya below.

Your Gift in Action

Sandhaya joined a self-help group through the Bihar Sustainable Livelihood Development project, eager to finally change her circumstances and put her education to use. In the group, she learned about nutrition, business skills, and how to care for goats. She learned the importance of the animals’ shelter, as well as how and what to feed them. She also learned about preventative measures and treatments for common diseases. It was all new to her.

After her training, Sandhaya received a goat — a transformative gift just like the one you gave! She soon started her own goat rearing business, where she uses her new skills every day.

Right now, a family like Sandhaya’s is putting their training into action as they proudly welcome your gift! And there’s so much more to come!

Your Gift Includes: 

• Hands-on training with best practices on how to raise healthy livestock
• Veterinary supplies and materials to build shelters for their animals
• Connections to other farmers through a local cooperative
• Training in sustainable farming practices, bookkeeping and gender equality
• Support from Heifer’s agricultural experts
• Livestock and high-quality seeds

The Journey of Your Gift

• A family joins a Heifer project and learns how to care for their animals and land
• The family receives your gift (YOU ARE HERE!) 
• The family joins a cooperative and grows their farm
• The family earns extra income selling products from their farm like milk or eggs 
• The family diversifies their farm and starts a business
• The family passes on their gifts to others, continuing your impact 
• The family THRIVES!