The Global Search for Education: Empowering Women in India
This month, audiences can screen Fabric of Change on Planet Classroom’s YouTube Channel.
Directed by Jennine Terra Rybicki and Karli Clark, Fabric of Change chronicles the remarkable journeys of Saroj Nimbawat and Jashoda Prajapat, two women from Rajasthan, India, defying traditional gender roles. With vital support from Sambhali Trust, they strive for education, independence, and equality. Produced by Clark and featuring the intimate cinematography of Rybicki, the film highlights powerful narratives of resilience and grassroots empowerment. The editing, led by Rybicki alongside assistant editors Karli Clark and Alex Klein, and assistant director Shaquoya Jones, brings a poignant depth to their story.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome director Jennine Terra Rybicki.
Jennine, what inspired you to tell the stories of Saroj and Jashoda in Fabric of Change?
After visiting many empowerment centers and meeting so many incredible women, Saroj and Jashoda truly stood out. Something they both shared was an overwhelming sense of positivity, despite everything they’d faced. They were confident, driven, and inspirational — not just to us, but also clearly to the other women around them. They had big dreams and never seemed to doubt their ability to achieve them.
How did collaborating with Sambhali Trust shape the film’s message and production process?
Working with Sambhali Trust helped us illustrate alternative options available to women in India regarding education and achieving independence. From sewing classes to business training, Sambhali equipped these women with tools to support themselves, eliminating the need to depend on their families or husbands. The message of independence arose not only from the women’s stories but from Sambhali’s vision of empowerment.
What moments during filming left the biggest emotional impact on you personally?
When I watch the film now, the memories that resonate most vividly are the moments off-camera — like enjoying lunch at Jashoda’s home, sharing laughter as the women grew more comfortable in front of the camera, and observing Saroj interact warmly with her family. These experiences remind me how much richer their lives are beyond what we could capture on screen. Saroj and Jashoda inspired their mothers, sisters, and every young girl they encountered. The women of Sambhali demonstrate how powerful it is when women unite with a common purpose. This is deeply moving for me.
What do you hope international audiences take away from this story of grassroots empowerment?
I hope audiences grasp that change truly happens from the ground up. It only requires one individual putting ideas into action for others to join in. Of course, Govind played a significant role, but none of this would have been possible without the brave women who took those initial steps alongside him.
Thank you, Jennine!
C.M. Rubin and Jennine Terra Rybicki.
Fabric of Change is now streaming on Planet Classroom’s YouTube Channel. This film is curated by Actuality Abroad.