The women of Bihar need your help

Summary

Bihar is a state in the North of India. If it were a country it would be the sixth poorest in the world. Women in village communities have a low social status and often suffer social isolation.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The Trust runs 3 sewing centres in our project villages, but we urgently need sponsorship to help keep all these centres open. They provide a supportive environment and training in sewing skills to up to 40 women and young girls at any one centre. When a certain skill level has been reached the women can apply for an interest free loan to buy a sewing machine which provides a very important source of income.

How will this project solve this problem?

This project brings women whom have no voice together in supportive companionship whilst they learn a skill which can give them financial independence. Through the centre the women often become empowered in other ways, standing up to physical abuse.

Potential Long Term Impact

We work in areas of great poverty where sometimes it is difficult for people to see hope. Women can be terribly isolated often with no one to turn to for help or support. This project brings women together and gives them new found strength and hope.

Project Message

Before I was alone, I had no one outside my family to talk to. Now I have friends and I am learning to sew, my husband does not beat me any more as the women got together to stop the men drinking.
- Lalia Devi, Sewing centre member

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources