Ambuja Foundation's Pashu Sakhi, Chaya Mondal received the Krishak Samman Award during the Mati Utsab Function in Murshidabad where she was awarded Rs. 25,000 for her efforts in the Goat Based Livelihood Programme in Farakka, West Bengal. Chaya was recognised for her work; treating over 164 goats in her village and for actively creating awareness on goat health in her community.

It all began in 2017 when Chaya joined Ambuja Foundation's Goat Based Livelihood Group, where she learned how to rear goats - she currently owns 17 goats and has a trade license to operate her goats based business. With access to veterinary services being a challenge, Ambuja Foundation selects and trains local women as para-veterinarians called Pashu Sakhis. Having shown promise in goat rearing, Ambuja Foundation approached Chaya to train as a Pashu Sakhi - to help optimise the health of women's goats in the community.

Certified to measure temperature and prescribe medicines for cold and other diseases, Chaya recently also learnt how to make mineral food for goats and sell it in the community. Her work is fetching accolades from community, media and government.

Ambuja Foundation mobilises Self-Help Group women across a variety of locations and encourages the practice of goat-based livelihoods in groups - so that women can share challenges and implement solutions together. To date, 726 women participate in this program, and Chaya is a role model to all of them!