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When a woman is empowered with digital skills, she doesn’t just rise she lifts her entire community with her.

Meet Our Suryamukhis

Stories of Transformation and Empowerment

Rashida Begum - Bringing Light to Her Community

“I joined Pollinate to help people move out of the darkness. Nobody wants to live in the darkness, and I am determined to help people live in the light.”
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Rashida, a vibrant entrepreneur from Northern Karnataka, never completed high school due to poverty. Now, she works as a school helper and has become a trusted source of solar lights for her community, ensuring children can study and women can cook safely after sunset.

Pabitra Aryal - A Beacon of Hope in Her Village

“Most homes were left in the dark after sunset and urgently needed a solution. They were doubtful if a woman could really do this job.”
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Pabitra, from a community with no access to reliable energy, introduced high-quality clean energy products and became a trusted leader. She now trains other women, helping them challenge gender stereotypes and improve their communities' quality of life.

Lakshmi The power of empowering women

Lakshmi’s eyes gleam with pride as she takes me to the heart of her community. The tents get closer and closer to each other, the further we walk. We find a group of women waiting patiently for us to arrive, all excited to share how Lakshmi has helped them change their lives forever.
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“A few years ago, none of us even knew about solar power. We relied on kerosene lamps to have some light in our homes. Fans were something we couldn’t even dream of in the absence of electricity. Kerosine itself is quite expensive, if we don’t stand for hours at the ration-shop. Despite this, it was not enough for our children to study, or for life to go on after sunset. Today, not only do we have lights and fans at home, but we are also saving a lot of money because we only need to invest once in these solar products,” Lakshmi, who works as a domestic helper in the evenings to provide for her family of 6, with 4 young children started working with Pollinate Group about 8 years ago. The idea was to make some extra money to substitute her household income. Today, however, her main incentive is ensuring no house around her is left in the dark after sunset. Till date, she has already lit up over 500 homes in her community. Moreover, she has built an incredible network of trust and reliability. She understands the pulse of the crowd, as she shows them new products and explains how they can help families take another step towards a better life. She confidently assures the group that they can reach out to her for any queries or concerns, and patiently pacifies and answers people who seem anxious about the new products. The credibility of pre-existing products and the assurance of having Lakshmi around plays a key role here. Lakshmi herself has received a smartphone from Pollinate Group as an acknowledgement of the huge impact she has helped create, and to enable her to continue doing so. Her eyes twinkle as she asks her son to get it from the room so she can show it to me. “At first, I was terrified to even touch it because I had never held a smartphone in my hand before. But my children have been showing me how to use it, and now I can do some basic, but useful things,” she shares with excitement. She and her family have now moved into a beautiful small apartment right outside her community. All four of her children are able to continue their education with online classes. She visits the community every Tuesday to share newer, more efficient products, to inform new families who move in about the benefits of using environmentally safe and cost effective appliances, and to check if anyone is having any trouble with existing products. As I leave in the evening, my heart swells with pride, watching the resilience and determination of one woman, who started out with a simple wish to add any extra money she could get to her income so that she could give her children a better life than her own. Today, she is a proud entrepreneur, who has already transformed the lives of 500 other women and their families. Lakshmi is now sending these products to her own tiny village in Gulbarga, in North Karnataka, where there is no other source of lighting for farms, fields and homes. If this is the difference one empowered woman can create, imagine what a beautiful world we can create by empowering more women to work with Pollinate Group.

Sunita : Overcoming Adversity to Empower Others

“Sunita, an acid attack survivor, supports her family by selling clean energy products. With her husband's support, she uses Pollinate Group’s digital app and social media to expand her business. Her determination and resourcefulness
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are paving the way for a brighter future.

Arbiya : Stitching a Brighter Future

“Determined to support her family, Arbiya combined her income from selling clean energy products with her stitching course. Her hard work and resourcefulness
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have lightened her family's financial burden and paved the way for a brighter future.”

Ruma’s Rise: From Aspiration to Empowerment

Meet Ruma Sardar, a woman of unwavering determination from Kolkata who dared to dream beyond financial insecurity. Her journey to self-sufficiency began when she discovered
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Pollinate Group’s women entrepreneurship model—introduced to her by another empowered woman. With no prior experience but boundless ambition, Ruma took the leap. With the support of Pollinate Group, she built her clean energy micro-enterprise from the ground up, selling essential products within her community and nearby schools. Every sale was more than just income; it was a step toward breaking generational barriers. Armed with training and confidence, Ruma has transformed not only her own life but has also become a source of inspiration for other women in her community. Today, her hard-earned income is shaping a brighter future for her daughters, ensuring they receive the education she once only dreamed of. Ruma’s journey is a testament to the power of opportunity, resilience, and the unstoppable force of women uplifting women.

Rani’s Light: Empowering a Community Through Entrepreneurship

In 2019, Rani’s journey with Pollinate Group began in Hyderabad, fueled by a vision to create a brighter future for herself and her community. She ran a roadside furniture shop that provided for her family, but without electricity, its potential was limited.
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Determined to change this, Rani stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, bringing life-changing products to underserved areas. Her most impactful product? Solar lights. These not only transformed her own business—allowing her to extend shop hours and increase revenue—but also illuminated homes in her unelectrified community, improving lives in ways beyond measure. She expanded her offerings with water filters and essential household products, becoming a trusted source of change. But Rani’s influence didn’t stop there. She became a mentor, sharing her experiences in Pollinate Group’s peer learning programs, empowering other women entrepreneurs to rise alongside her. Today, she stands as a beacon of self-sufficiency, proving that one woman’s ambition can ignite progress for an entire community.

Santoshi Kumari: A Journey of Empowerment and Transformation

In 2019, Santoshi Kumari’s journey with Pollinate Group began in Nepal, driven by a desire to create a better future for herself and her family. Managing a modest grocery shop alongside her husband, Santoshi knew there was untapped potential in her business.
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Determined to make a change, she embraced the opportunity to step into entrepreneurship and enhance her business skills through Pollinate's training programs. The most impactful change she made? Digital transformation. By modernizing her operations, Santoshi introduced digital tools to manage inventory and streamline stock requests, boosting her shop’s efficiency and growth. This digital shift not only helped her manage her business more effectively but also enhanced customer engagement, making her a well-known figure in her community. But Santoshi’s impact didn’t stop at her own success. She reinvested her earnings into her business and used her newfound expertise to support her family’s well-being. As a result, her grocery shop became a vital part of her local economy, empowering her and her family with financial independence. Today, Santoshi is a role model, showing that with the right knowledge and support, any woman can go from behind the scenes to leading her own entrepreneurial journey. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of education, self-belief, and the right mentorship—proving that women like Santoshi have the ability to uplift their families and communities.

Bhabani’s Empowerment: Transforming Financial Futures Through Digital Literacy

In 2019, Bhabani Mondal’s journey with Pollinate Group began in the rural outskirts of Diamond Harbour, driven by a vision to create a more stable and prosperous future for herself and her family.
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With modest earnings from her work at a local microfinance institution and her husband’s job in Aquaguard sales, Bhabani sought greater financial independence and stability. Her life changed when she joined Pollinate Group. Through comprehensive training in digital literacy and financial education, Bhabani learned essential skills in managing finances, handling cash, and conducting digital transactions. These tools empowered her to take control of her financial future, significantly increasing her income and expanding her opportunities. But Bhabani’s journey didn’t end with her personal success. With her newfound knowledge, she became a role model and mentor in her community, sharing her expertise and empowering other women to manage their finances and build their own businesses. Today, Bhabani stands as a beacon of empowerment, proving that when women are given the right resources and support, they can thrive and spark positive change in their communities. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the resilience of rural women striving for a better future.

Monoara’s Empowerment: Transforming Lives Through Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy

In 2023, Monoara’s journey with Pollinate Group began in the rural areas of India, driven by a strong desire to create a better life for herself and her family..
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Despite her husband’s job in sales, Monoara's family faced financial challenges, and their modest business selling clothing door-to-door lacked the tools and knowledge to scale. Her life changed when she joined Pollinate Group. Through targeted entrepreneurship and digital financial literacy training, Monoara gained the essential skills needed to grow her business and manage finances effectively. She learned how to diversify her products, adopt modern financial practices, and take control of her financial future. With her newfound knowledge, Monoara’s income grew significantly, adding approximately 3500 rupees per month to her family’s earnings. This financial stability improved their quality of life, allowing Monoara to reinvest in the business and create even more opportunities for growth. But Monoara’s success didn’t stop at her own business. As she grew, she became a mentor, sharing her story and empowering other women in her community to take charge of their financial futures and entrepreneurial ventures. Today, Monoara stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, proving that with the right education and support, rural women can transform their lives, their families, and their communities. Her story demonstrates the profound impact of entrepreneurship and financial literacy in driving sustainable economic growth.

Tagori’s Empowerment: Overcoming Struggles Through Entrepreneurship

In 2023, Tagori Gayen’s journey with Pollinate Group began in a rural community in India, driven by the desire to create a better life for her family. Despite her husband’s modest income of ₹6000 INR per month, Tagori faced significant financial challenges while trying to support her two children in school.
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Her life transformed when she joined Pollinate Group. Through targeted training in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, Tagori gained the crucial skills to manage her finances and grow her business. She learned how to sell essential products in her community, such as solar lights, clean cookstoves, and sanitary products, enabling her to create new income streams for her family. With her newfound knowledge and skills, Tagori’s income increased by approximately ₹1500 INR each month. This additional income helped her afford her children’s education, basic needs, and provided greater financial security for her family. But Tagori’s success didn’t stop there. As she gained confidence, she became a role model and an advocate for other women in her community, showing them how entrepreneurship could change their lives and create new opportunities. Today, Tagori stands as a shining example of what’s possible when women are empowered with the right tools and support. Her journey proves that with the right guidance and determination, rural women can overcome financial struggles and lead their families to a brighter, more sustainable future.

Mallamma’s Determination: Building a Brighter Future for Her Family

In 2023, Mallamma’s journey with Pollinate Group began in a rural community, fueled by a mother’s desire to create a better life for her children. Once a construction laborer, Mallamma faced immense challenges, working long hours with little to no financial security.
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But she dreamed of a future where her children could have the education and opportunities she never had. Her life took a powerful turn when she joined Pollinate Group. Through specialized training in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, Mallamma gained the knowledge and tools to generate a sustainable income. She started selling essential products in her community, such as solar lights, clean cookstoves, and sanitary products, creating a new path for herself and her family. With her new skills, Mallamma’s income increased, and she began to reinvest in her children’s education, ensuring they could thrive without the financial struggles she had faced. Her eldest daughter, now in grade 10, is excelling in school, achieving higher marks than ever before, and dreaming of an even brighter future. But Mallamma’s success isn’t just about her own transformation—it’s about the ripple effect she’s creating. With the support of Pollinate Group, Mallamma is not only securing her family’s future but also setting an example for others in her community. She’s teaching them the power of financial literacy and entrepreneurship, showing that with determination and the right support, any woman can rewrite her story. Today, Mallamma stands as a beacon of hope, proving that women can rise above adversity and create lasting change. With continued support, we can empower more women like Mallamma to transform their futures and provide a better tomorrow for their children.

Join us in supporting these incredible women and their communities. your contribution to the Changemakers circle makes a world of difference.