Empower 100 women as food entrepreneurs in India

It is already 3 months in to 2015, and the year so far has held a number of promises. There has been a significant increase in the uptake of applications for entrpreneur opportunities. We are in the process of dedicating our second kitchen at Padappai, a south western village adjacent to the booming industrial township of Oragadam.

We expect this proximity will assist us to expand our reach and include a number of KATHIR entrepreneurs in that area, and allow us to experiment with the campus model that we has been under development.

The campus model is a collective of entrepreneurs coming together under a common roof and offer menu selections from our Padappai kitchen as well as those made onsite. The cost of this model will be approximately the same - 3000$ supporting six entrepreneurs. 

A new training module is in now in place, one that increases hands on experiences for the aspiring enterepreneurs, mentored by those who have matured with passage of time. The training comprises of the new regulations imposed by the Food Services Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and a bi annual regulatory health check. Previously these health exams were given by the Foundation through its own laboratory (NABL certified), while presently this role has been taken over the regulatory authority.

The project is pleased to have been able to support through the generosity of its donors, a food donation for 3000 children residing in Chennai's orphanages. The event was held by another non profit on Feb 22, 2015. 

The focus for 2015 is to complete the 100 entrepreneurs and we would like to place our most sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the Global Giving donors who have supported us thus far. It is just a short journey from here. We hope to achieve this landmark goal by end of 2015.