By Geetanjali Deshmukh | Manager
Dear Friends,
Greetings!
It has been more than 10 years since we started skilling underprivileged women in various vocations in an effort to empower them. After skilling, we conduct an Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP) to encourage them to find employment. In EDP, they are taught basics of Business Management and financial literacy. According to their interests and comfort, they are grouped into Self Help Groups (SHGs). After the programme, close to 90% women either find employment or start their own small businesses. Some women are off to a flying start but for some the ride is a little bumpy, that is when they need some handholding and support from us.
Neelu and Bina are 2 young women who recently completed EDP with us. Both are expert cooks, having completed IDEA’s Home Chefs course with flying colours and they wanted to start their own catering services. Meanwhile we were contacted by a corporate group who needed evening snacks delivered and served for their 100 employees every day. Since it was a big order, we suggested both women partner up. They were very hesitant to take up the opportunity owing to long distance from their homes to the company. Even after they began working, they found some things difficult like planning for a new menu everyday, wholesale purchasing and account keeping. They almost gave up.
But our team of social workers decided to help them find their bearings since they knew that if both women lost confidence in themselves, they may find it very difficult to become the entrepreneurs they want to become. The team worked with them, preparing new menus, planning, costing, purchasing ingredients and cooking in huge quantities. Everyday 2 social workers from the team would accompany them to the company and would help them in serving. Slowly Neelu and Bina were less and less intimidated by the work, they started to work together as a team and started to enjoy their new found entrepreneurial spirit. Seeing their confidence, our team handed over all the work back to them.
Today Neelu and Bindu prepare new and tasty dishes for 100 people everyday. They have become better at planning and management. Shy girls, a few years back, they have transformed into confident young women. The task which looked like a risk, a few months back is actually making a profit for them today. Their extra income is a big help to their families, who are very happy to see them become financially independent. The chefs finally taste success!
Sometimes a little help goes a long way and we are with these girls in their journey to self-discovery and empowerment and we know that they have your back too.
Friends, please support this project to encourage more girls to realize their potential!
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