RISING FROM THE ASHES-

Archana Tissopi’s Journey of Resilience and Renewal

– Vincent Rongpi

Early Life

This is the story of Archana Tissopi, who resides in the beautiful village of Dok Terang nestled within the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Archana was born in 1982 in a modest household and experienced a simple upbringing. Her educational journey was anything but conventional. Initially, she began her schooling in the village, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she had to leave school after failing her matriculation exam on her first attempt. Despite experiencing failure at a young age, Archana has always been someone who doesn’t give up easily. Therefore, this setback also did not stop her from moving forward in life. On May 25, 2007, Archana embarked on a new chapter of her life by marrying Philip Bey in a love marriage. Together, they have built a life full of love and support. Soon after, their union was blessed with the birth of their son, who is currently dedicated to pursuing his education.

A Devastating Setback

However, on April 16, 2022, a tragic incident turned Archana and her family’s life upside down. An electrical issue sparked a fire that engulfed their entire house, consuming not only their property but also Archana’s painstakingly accumulated savings, including a substantial amount of 1.5 lakh from their Self-Help Group contributions. All their land documents and other important papers were reduced to ashes. This catastrophic event left Archana and her family feeling utterly helpless and hopeless. The loss was not just financial but emotional as well. The sense of security they had taken for granted was shattered in an instant. Fortunately, it was at this dark period of time that the community’s support became their lifeline, offering them a glimmer of hope amidst the ruins.

Emerging from the Ashes

The human spirit’s ability to rise from adversity is truly inspiring. The kindness of Archana’s community shone through during their darkest times. The villagers came together to build a temporary bamboo house for her family to live in, ensuring they had a safe place to call home. The local Member of the Autonomous Council (MAC) extended a helping hand by donating essential supplies, including tin for the roof and two bags of rice, which provided them with immediate relief. The Red Cross also joined the effort, providing utensils and other necessities for her kitchen, allowing them to begin restoring a sense of normalcy.

From Devastation to Determination

In November 2022, Archana’s life took a pivotal turn when she began attending Self-Help Group (SHG) and Producer Group (PG) meetings and training sessions organized by SeSTA. This marked the start of her journey as an entrepreneur. Through these programs, she gained valuable insights into scientific methods of rearing livestock and effective livestock management techniques. Previously, her approach to raising pigs was rudimentary; she would simply tether them under trees. However, the training sessions at the PG level, conducted by SeSTA, introduced her to the importance of constructing proper sheds and adopting a more scientific approach to animal husbandry. This significant shift in practice promised to enhance both the yield and health of her livestock. Archana’s dedication and active participation could not have gone unnoticed by the SeSTA Lumbajong team. In 2023, the SeSTA team submitted a business plan for three producer groups, including her Cheto Producer Group, to the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM). This initiative secured funding of 260,000 rupees for their group.

From this amount, she received a share of 19,070 rupees in the form of a Revolving Fund (RF). Archana invested this money in constructing a three-room pig shed. With this improved facility, she was able to purchase two female piglets. Over the following months, these piglets matured and gave birth to 16 piglets. She sold eight of these piglets strategically, generating a profit of 40,000 rupees. This profit allowed her to further expand her pig shed, thus increasing her capacity for pig rearing.

The unwavering support from SeSTA and ASRLM, coupled with Archana’s determination, has been instrumental in her transformation. Her journey has taught her the importance of having faith during difficult times.

Rising from the ashes of devastation, she has found a renewed sense of purpose. She firmly believes that with pure intentions and unwavering determination, no adversity can derail one’s path to success. While she knows there is still a long road ahead, her dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur drives her forward. Archana is deeply thankful to SeSTA and ASRLM for their invaluable support on this journey. Archana’s story is a testament to the power of community and resilience.

Each step she took after the fire was a step towards reclaiming her life and building a better future for her family. The encouragement from her fellow villagers and the tangible help from SeSTA professionals did not just help her survive the crisis but also empowered her to thrive. Being a member of Self Help Group provided her with the resources and knowledge she needed to reinvent herself as an entrepreneur. Her transformation from a victim of circumstances to a proactive, successful business woman serves as an inspiration to many in her village and beyond. Archana’s journey continues, fueled by her vision and the unwavering support of her community, showing that resilience and solidarity can overcome even the most daunting challenges.