This fundraiser is for the rural women of Jharkhand, India, mothers, wives, and daughters who have no income of their own. Most of them depend on their families' small seasonal farms, earning barely enough to eat. They have the willingness to work, but no opportunity.

I, Nidhi vishnoi, am helping Dr. Pinki Raj Sahu whom in September 2024, started Sewa Dhaam, a trust to help these women become self-earners through mushroom farming. I also run a small MSME called Nature's Nurture.

Why mushrooms? Because they don't need big land. They grow indoors, in small rooms. The first harvest comes in just 45 days. And in India, demand is huge, most people have never even tasted fresh mushrooms because they're simply not available in rural areas.

I have already connected with women's Self Help Groups in my area. They are ready and eager. What we are missing is the infrastructure to start.

We need the funds as soon as possible. Our women members are trained and waiting. Our plan is to begin construction immediately once funded, complete the full setup in 3–4 months, and have our first mushroom harvest within 5 months of receiving the funds.

How will the funds be used?

Every dollar will go directly into building the mushroom unit and putting it in the hands of these women. Here is the breakdown:

• 3 climate-controlled growing rooms (PUF panel rooms for year-round mushroom cultivation): $3,600

• Cooling, humidification & air handling systems: $1,500

• Composting yard & pasteurisation chamber: $900

• Mushroom racks, trays & growing equipment: $600

• Processing & packaging equipment (dryer, grinder, sealer, so women can make dried mushroom, pickle, powder, and canned products that sell for 3–5x more than fresh mushrooms): $1,200

• Cold storage unit (to store fresh mushrooms and prevent waste): $500

• Diesel generator & electrical setup (reliable power is critical for climate control): $900

• Raw materials for first 6 months (spawn, straw, compost, bags for 1,500 bags/cycle): $500

• Training of SHG women (hands-on training in growing, harvesting, processing, and selling): $400

• Marketing, branding & packaging design: $200

• Working capital, transport & contingencies: $700

Total needed: $10,000 (approximately ₹8,40,000)

Once running, this unit will produce 600 kg of mushrooms per cycle across 3 growing rooms. Fresh mushrooms sell at ₹200/kg ($2.5/kg) in nearby urban markets. On top of that, processed products like dried mushroom, pickles, and mushroom powder bring in even more revenue.

This will give 50–100 women a steady monthly income of around $60 per family, life-changing money in villages where most women currently earn nothing.

Beyond mushrooms, we are also teaching chemical-free natural farming to over 200 farm families, helping them grow healthier food and spend less on expensive fertilisers and chemicals.

This is not charity. This is an investment in women who just need a fair start. $10,000 today builds a business that sustains itself and grows, creating more jobs, more income, and more independence for years to come.

Please help us give them that start. Even a small donation or a share makes a real difference.

Thank you.

Dr. Pinki Raj Sahu

Founder, Sewa Dhaam Trust

Proprietor, Nature's Nurture (MSME)

Jharkhand, India

Nidhi Vishnoi

Fundraiser Supporter

Stamford, CT

USA