As an investor, Upaya works behind the scenes to provide the tools and resources necessary for communities in need to build themselves up in their own way. This type of empowerment is an essential feature of the dignified jobs we strive to create, and with the support of our donor community, we’ve been able to help create over 28,000 jobs for men and women living in extreme poverty in India. While that number is significant, the true impact of our work is best conveyed through the stories of the real people who work for our portfolio companies — people like Karthik.

Karthik, an employee of our partner company Nugu, had previously struggled to find a job and remained unemployed despite having completed his education. The lack of work near his home village of Mulluru meant his older brother had to leave to find work in the city. That left Karthik responsible for providing for his parents and his younger brother too. Not only must he provide essentials, like food and housing for most of his family, but he is also funding education for his younger brother so that he too can find a job and help lift their family out of poverty. Without a reliable source of income close to home, Karthik’s family’s future was uncertain and insecure.

In 2020, with the help of our incredible donors, Upaya was able to invest in Nugu Handmade, a pottery and the first and only factory near Karthik’s village. Nugu makes handmade ceramic serving and dinnerware for the hospitality industry and retail market. Nugu’s focus has always been on indigenous skill development, employment opportunities for craftspeople, and community building. Most of the jobholders working for Nugu were previously unemployed or new to the ceramics profession.

As Nugu was hiring members from the community in need of work, Karthik and many of his neighbors gained jobs and saw their lives change drastically. Instead of facing each day with uncertainty, Karthik now has hope for a better future — one in which he can buy his own house and someday get married. With this job, he explains that he finally feels happy and relaxed.

Looking to the future, Karthik hopes to take on more responsibilities at Nugu where he has already had three wage increases in two years. With this additional income, Karthik has been able to support his family the way he wants to. He has used this money to pay off all of his existing debts, pay for renovations of his family’s home, and pay for his younger brother’s education. But he has also been able to invest in himself and in his own future and dreams, purchasing a bicycle and a smartphone — both tools that enhance his access and connection to the world beyond his village.

Through this job with Nugu, Karthik works in a safe environment to earn this income in a dignified manner, and he gets to choose what to spend it on. This is the sort of sustainable empowerment Upaya hopes to create through our investments in entrepreneurs in India who are facilitating the dignified jobs in their communities.

There are many others with stories like Karthik — stories of those who have both experienced extreme poverty and have been lifted above its grips through dignified work.

Follow along with our blog and social media for more jobholder stories like this.