Building Strong Families to Support Strong Students

Education is not sustainable when households are in crisis.

We recognize that a child’s ability to stay in school is directly tied to their household’s economic stability. This pillar focuses on supporting vulnerable women, particularly widows and women overcoming hardship, to build sustainable livelihoods that preserve dignity and strengthen families.

Our support includes:

• Capacity building in financial literacy, bookkeeping, and group-based savings equips women with tools to manage income and make informed financial decisions.

• Promotion of home-based cottage industries, with special focus on sotet production (Traditional milk guards) that allow women to generate income while caring for their children and households.

• Access to markets through local networks, community events, and organizational support to help women expand their reach and income.

• Strengthening self-help groups that serve as platforms for emotional encouragement, shared learning, and mutual accountability.

Currently, one of our active self-help groups produces and sells sotonik. This initiative has become a key income stream, restoring dignity, financial independence, and hope.

When women are empowered economically, the entire household benefits. Children stay in school, meals become consistent, and homes become safer, more hopeful places. This is how Chalan links economic resilience to educational continuity and transformation.