Deepa Soundari, a 44-year-old from Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, has always carried the weight of her family with quiet determination. Before the coronavirus pandemic, she worked at a local college, but like many others, she lost her job during the crisis. Since then, she has remained unemployed, striving to find a way to support her loved ones.

To make ends meet, Deepa started an e-Seva centre in her town. While it provided a small income, it was not enough to meet the growing demands of her household. Her husband earns very little, and their financial struggles deepened as they also became full-time caregivers to his siblings, both of whom are disabled and require constant attention. Medical expenses have been overwhelming, and the stress of survival has weighed heavily on her shoulders.

“I cannot leave them alone at home and go for a full-time job. There’s no one else to care for them,” she explains. “But I have to find a way to earn, for all of us to survive.”

When she learned about the laptop repair training offered through Manal Foundation’s skill development initiative, she saw a unique opportunity. The course would allow her to work from home while continuing to manage her caregiving responsibilities. It also had the potential to support her e-Seva centre by reducing the cost of external repair services.

“I realized I could fix laptops myself, not just for my centre but for others too,” she says. “If I expand my knowledge, I can get better work and earn more.”

But Deepa’s journey is not just about survival. It’s also about challenging stereotypes. As a woman in a field traditionally dominated by men, she knows she has something to prove.

“People don’t trust women with technical work like laptop repair,” she shares. “Most mechanics and drivers are men. That’s the mindset. I want to show that I am equally good.”

With the support of Manal Foundation, Deepa is gaining the skills and confidence she needs to reshape her future. The training has given her not just technical knowledge, but also a renewed sense of purpose and independence.

“This course is more than just learning. It is about proving myself and building a better life for my family.”

Through hard times and heavy responsibilities, she continues to move forward, determined to create opportunities not only for herself but for the people who depend on her.