WE-AUTO PROJECT

The We-auto or Women Empowerment project is a two-year project that aims to empower the fisher women belonging to the coastal area of Kollam towards sustainable. It is an attempt to bring women to the frontline workforce as well as promote their sense of self-worth and identity. Through this project, 32 women from the Kollam coast who are trained in electric auto rickshaw driving would be selected and given electric auto rickshaws on lease. WE-Autos are not just women friendly but also eco-friendly causing no pollution at all. The first phase of official Electric auto distribution was inaugurated by Hon. Mayor of Kollam Smt. Prasanna Earnest, blessed by Vicar General of Quilon, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Vincent Machado and flagged off by RTO, Shri. A.K Dilu on 4 th August 2021.

• Ensuring a sustainable income for Fisher women and thereby finding a solution to the unemployment
• Bringing the women out from the stereotypical job orientation and mainstream the workforce of women
• Reducing the rate of environmental pollution by encouraging electric vehicles.

This project has been changing attitude of the people towards women in the society. It has helped break taboos and customs by giving a different job perspective.

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SUCCESSFUL STORIES

Battling Cancer: Clara's Resilience and Strength
Clara learned to drive an auto-rickshaw after she finished her training. She lives with her husband, two sons, and in-laws. Before driving, she used to work as a tailor in an office. Clara had many debts to pay, so she decided to drive to earn more money Even though Clara didn't pass her driving test the first time, she didn't give up, despite also battling cancer. After obtaining her license, we provided her with an auto. She used the auto to earn a stable income. When she started driving, some men at the auto stand laughed at her. Then, she had an accident and was in the hospital for two weeks. After that, she felt scared to drive but found courage to start again. Even though she feels pain from cancer, Clara is strong. She doesn't drive every day, but still earns Rs. 25,000 to 35,000 per month.
"I love driving. It makes me feel free," Clara says.
When her agreement ended, she owned the auto. Now, Clara feels independent and happy.Clara's journey teaches us about determination and resilience. Despite facing challenges like failing her driving test, dealing with debts, and battling cancer, Clara didn't give up. She continued to pursue her goal of financial independence and found success.

All the women here have a similar story—a story of how they are fighting the battle of life single-handedly. Shiny Vijayan is another hardworking single mother who has benefited from the We-auto project. Her family included her husband and two sons, and she was a housewife back then. When her husband left her all alone one day, she was unsure of how her life would be thereafter. It took a while for her to process what was going on. She joined FCDP as a Vishappinu Vida driver, through which she started earning a regular income. Later, she decided to acquire an electric auto through the project.
Now, her day starts at 4 in the morning. She gives her mother and two other ladies a ride to the harbor to get fish. Then she comes back and does the household chores before going for the school ride. At 10, she reaches the FCDP office and participates in food distribution. After a short lunch break, she hits the road again with her own auto. She earns between 30000 – 50000 per month. She would say that more than the financial benefits, she values the personal growth she has experienced.
"I always believed that I was weak and incapable. And when he left, I was clueless. But I can see that I am actually doing well. I take care of my mom, I have secured admission for my son in the college he dreamt of... I can see how strong and independent I am." Today, Shiny Vijayan is an inspiration for all the women who consider themselves frail.

Lekha, aged 37, hails from Paripally. She was an ordinary housewife and lived with her husband and two kids. 'Lekha, wife of Suni,' was her only identity until the day she saw an advertisement about WE-AUTO in the newspaper. "My kids, at times, ask me to get snacks or pretty toys, and I used to buy them with the money I saved from what my husband gave me. I always felt that if I had some kind of earnings, I could have bought these for my children without asking anyone."
Lekha joined the E-auto training in the first batch of the project. However, she had to wait until the second phase when her husband caught Covid. The pandemic proved her right. Her husband was the sole breadwinner of her family, and when he fell sick, they really struggled to make ends meet. Lekha bought the e-auto in November 2021, and it's been more than 6 months. Lekha earns not less than 35,000 every month.
"I am very proud to say that I earn more than my husband, and today I am more than just Suni's wife."
Lekha closed the agreement on the 7th of November 2022, and she is riding her own auto today.

Irine Rajan was enjoying her retirement life with her grandchildren. She had been a fisherwoman. She taught her children, saw them married, and when they had children of their own, Irine decided to stay at home. She used to take her grandchildren to school every day, and one day, she saw a woman dropping her children off at school in an auto.
"I decided to learn driving the moment I saw that. I started dreaming of taking my kids to school in an auto like her."
Thus began the second innings of Irine Rajan’s life. She obtained her license in December 2021 and purchased an electric auto in the third phase of the project, along with two other female drivers. Initially, she bought the auto just to take her children to school, but today she is one of the busiest drivers in the We-auto project.
"My entire life can be divided into two phases: before and after taking the electric auto. I never thought my life would change to this extent."
Irine Rajan serves as a reminder that it is never too late to start a new chapter. Now she uses the auto for school trips and fish selling. She earns a minimum of Rs. 1000 per day. Stereotypes are the main villains in this sector, but she drives the auto independently and breaks the rules.

Shiny Varghese and Sunitha Freddy (another beneficiary of the We-auto project) were cousins. They were also great friends since their childhood. They still had that love and care for each other even when they were married off and had families of their own. Shiny was married to a teacher. Even though he earned well, he handled all the money and gave an amount merely enough to meet the expenses. She never asked him for money because she knew well that he will take out the list of his never ending debts.
She has two kids. Her son Anoop struggles with learning disability and hence her daughter is her only hope. When the children grew up, her husband started drinking and the situation became worse when he stopped giving even that little amount he used to give. She wanted to find some job or else she knew that her children would die starving.
“I wanted to look after my kids. I wanted to give them good food. I wanted to see my daughter doing well in her life”. It was Sunitha who gave me the motivation to join the training at FCDP”.
Shiny had an issue with her back for which she was under treatment after the training. But she wasn’t ready to give up. She took the auto in the third phase of the project. Shiny is working hard day and night for her children. She rarely took a day off She earns
Rs.45000-50000 per month. Her daughter completed her plus two this year. She wanted to be a Nurse. So last month Shiny took a few days off because she had some shopping and had to take her daughter to Bangalore, where she got admission for her daughter.

Shajitha's story is one of resilience and determination. As a single mother living in Ayathil with her two children and aunt, she faced the challenge of supporting her family's needs and her children's education alone after separating from her husband. To make ends meet, she initially ran a tea shop in Kavanadu but found it difficult to manage both the business and household responsibilities.
Inspired by the success of other women auto drivers, Shajitha decided to pursue a similar path. She approached FCDP and obtained an auto under the WE-AUTOs project. Using the auto for normal trips and school runs, she was able to improve her financial situation and provide better care for her family.
However, her journey was not without obstacles. In September 2023, Shajitha met with an accident that fractured her spinal cord. Despite this setback, she remained determined and did not give up. After recovering from her injury, she returned to work, demonstrating remarkable resilience and perseverance. She earns Rs. 40000-50000 per month.
"After my divorce, I thought about how to move forward. Providing for my children's education and other necessities is essential. Choosing to drive an auto has provided me with the income to fulfill these needs."
Today, Shajitha is not only able to look after her family but also serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. Her story is a testament to the strength of single mothers and their ability to overcome adversity with courage and determination.

Selva Rani, from Eravipuram, lives with her husband and three children. Despite completing only 12th grade, she worked as an accountant in a shop, earning just Rs. 12,000 per month, which wasn’t enough to cover household expenses.
Her husband, a painter, struggles with drug addiction and irregular work attendance. Facing financial strain, Selva Rani sought better job opportunities to meet her family's needs. Hearing about the WE-AUTO project from beneficiary Shiny, she saw it as a comfortable option, allowing her to care for her children while managing her household. However, her husband broke her hand in opposition to her choice of job. Undeterred, she persisted, and now drives an auto, earning a minimum of Rs. 800 to 1000 per day.
Reflecting on her experience, Selva Rani expresses, “This field feels safer and more comfortable, allowing me to work happily without stress. Managing my family and children alongside this job has been the most rewarding aspect for me.”
* This auto was given to Mary Sebastian, but for several reasons, it has been handed over to Selva Rani.

Two years ago, Jijimol's life changed drastically when her husband passed away, leaving her to take care of their two sons alone. With the responsibility of running the household, ensuring her children received an education, and managing substantial debts, Jijimol faced immense challenges. Determined to provide for her family, she began searching for a job. Despite trying different jobs in the past, none could meet her family's needs adequately. Then, she discovered the WE Auto project, offering hope for a brighter future. Joining the project in October 2023, she acquired her own auto with a bank loan, marking a pivotal moment in her journey to independence.
Since then, Jijimol has been working tirelessly, earning between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 40,000 over the past four months. This income has not only helped her support her family but has also enabled her to gradually reduce her debts. Now, as an independent woman, Jijimol feels a sense of pride in her accomplishments. She believes that choosing to drive an auto was a wise career decision, and today, she lives happily in her community, a testament to her resilience and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

Mary Shobha's husband left her, and she moved in with her mother. She has two children, but they live with their father. Mary used to work from home as a tailor, but it didn't earn her enough money. Both she and her mother had health issues. Determined to improve her situation, Mary joined an auto-rickshaw training program at FCDP. She got her license and paid the deposit, but couldn't afford to buy an auto.
Mary then joined FCDS, where she started driving an auto for milk deliveries and later for other activities. Unfortunately, her mother passed away in March 2024. Due to personal reasons, Mary had to end her agreement with FCDS. However, she has now bought a new auto from FCDP on 12th April 2024 and is restarting her career in April. She earns 800-1500 per day.
"I don't have a house, and after my mom passed away, I know I need a good income to move forward. I believe this auto will help me get it."

Manju, her husband, and their two daughters live with her mother and brother in a single-room house near the coastal area. Her husband is a fisherman. Manju has a story of how alcoholism and domestic abuse can affect a family. She used to carry fish on her head and sell it from door-to-door to support the whole family. Later, she was diagnosed with a disc-related sickness, making it difficult for her to continue carrying fish on her head as she used to.
"I was left with no other options. I had to feed my family. That's when I heard about the auto-rickshaw training at FCDP," she explains.
"Why should I lie? I earn 25,000 every month just from school rides alone," says Manju Joseph from Pallithottam.
Manju is one of the first five women auto drivers of the We-auto project. Today, she no longer has to carry fish and walk in the hot sun to feed her family. She still continues selling fish but now from her own auto.
"In the first two months, I didn't even earn enough to pay for the auto's rent. But one year down the line, things have changed, and today I am proud to say that I am the backbone of my family."

Sophiya is a hardworking woman. She had worked in a press, had a small shop in her house selling batter, worked as maid. Quoting her own words she had done every possible jobs under the sky. Her husband is a tailor and had been doing it for 28 years. But that income helped them in no way to make ends meet. Her family was literally drowning in debts.
“It was debts everywhere. At times I felt like taking my own life because I saw no rays of hope”.
She was also a part timer in TMS. When WE-AUTOs project was launched she learned driving along with other staffs of the organization. But had no plan of taking an auto for her own.
Later, along with the part time job at TMS she wore the uniform of driver for the S.H.G auto, for milk distribution in the forenoon for a period of three months. It helped her in gaining a new confidence. She thought of taking an auto for the first time. With the support of staffs at the organization she joined the other women drivers of the project. Today she alone earns an amount not less than 40000-50000.
“I regret for taking this long for making this decision. But yes, right things happen at the right time”