Chandaben: Courage with Quiet Determination

In the village of Bhiljamboli, Chandaben carries herself with calm resolve.

At 35, she is an educated woman and a widowed mother of two. She lost her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic — a loss that changed the course of her life in an instant. Since then, the responsibility of raising her children and managing the household has rested entirely on her shoulders.

Her son is in middle school. Her daughter is preparing for her board examinations. Their studies are central to her world. She measures time not in years, but in academic milestones — exams, results, progress.

Chandaben has a home with basic facilities and access to farmland registered in her father-in-law’s name. The family remains connected to agriculture and animal husbandry, contributing to household income. Alongside this, she works as an Anganwadi helper — a role that reflects her commitment to community service, even though the income is modest. Daily expenses are managed carefully. There is little margin for uncertainty.

Yet Chandaben continues to look ahead. She is interested in sewing and hopes to build an additional source of income from home. With proper training and equipment, she can create a small but steady livelihood that complements her existing work and strengthens financial stability.

There is another quiet challenge she lives with — Chandaben herself has a health condition. Even so, she works every day, ensuring that her children’s routine remains undisturbed. Her resilience is not loud. It is disciplined and constant.

She has ensured that her documentation is complete and has accessed eligible government schemes. With focused guidance and skill-based support, she has the potential to move from managing her circumstances to expanding her possibilities.

What stands out about Chandaben is not difficulty.
It is dignity.
It is the strength of an educated woman who refuses to allow personal loss or health challenges to define her children’s future.

She does not ask for sympathy.
She asks for opportunity — to strengthen, to stabilise, to grow.

At the Smt Jayalakshmi Memorial Single Mother Foundation, we believe women like Chandaben do not need rescue.
They need partnership.
They need pathways.
They need someone to walk beside them.
Because when a mother chooses courage every single day, her children learn how to choose it too. Our promise… no single mother walks alone. 🌿