A Future Delivered - Nisha's Journey to Becoming a Midwife

16 October 2025

Nisha on the back of a motorcycle. A man is in front of her on the bike holding onto the handles.

Nisha, a 17-year-old girl from a low-income family in Lodhran District, lives with her parents and four siblings in a cramped two-room house. To accommodate the family, the kitchen and washroom are located outside. Her father, a mason, earns just 800 rupees a day (approx. $4.30 AUD), barely enough to meet basic needs. Because meat is too expensive, the family follows a vegetarian diet – yet they often go hungry.

Despite these hardships, Nisha dreamed of becoming a midwife – a profession that would allow her to serve her community and support her family. However, the nearest vocational college is a 30-minute rickshaw ride away, and the six-day-a-week, 18-month course was financially out of reach.

The Sustainable and Resilient Community Development Project (SRDP), led by The Salvation Army, stepped in to provide financial assistance for both travel and tuition fees, making it possible for Nisha to pursue her training. This support is not just helping her gain a qualification—it’s opening the door to a secure government job, which will offer long-term financial stability for her and her family.

Nisha’s journey illustrates how SRDP:

  • Removes financial barriers to vocational education for marginalised women.
  • Builds pathways out of poverty through skill development and employment opportunities.
  • Promotes gender equity by supporting women’s education, livelihoods and financial independence.
  • Strengthens community health by training local women in essential services like midwifery.

With SRDP’s support, Nisha is on track to become a qualified midwife. Her success will not only transform her own life but also improve maternal and child health outcomes in her community. Her story is a powerful example of how targeted development initiatives can break the cycle of poverty and empower the next generation of women.

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