Engage&Empower girls & boys for Girl Effect-India

Dear donors and well wishers,

Season’s greetings!

IDEA Foundation, under its Vocational Training wing, runs Beautician course for young girls and women in various communities. It equips them with necessary skills and knowledge of running a beauty salon. This industry is booming as more and more people are becoming aware of maintaining their appearance by using cosmetics and various other treatments offered in beauty parlours. IDEA has been instrumental in creating professional beauticians by training them from basics. 

Vanita had done her basic beautician course from a private parlour but she was not satisfied with it. She heard about vocational course at IDEA from her friend and enrolled immediately. She completed the advance course as well. Slowly we came to know about her life story and were impressed with her determination. Vanita went to school only till Std. 7^th and dropped out. At an early age she had to take up family responsibilities due to poor conditions of her family. She is a victim of Child Marriage. After marriage she came to Pune with her husband. She has 3 children. Her husband is Auto driver and his income is not regular. Her children go to school and all of them live in a slum. She started supporting her family by doing petty tailoring work at home. But that was not sufficient. So she decided to take up Parlour course as she had interest. She thanks her husband for his continuous support. Her in-laws expected her to work on the farm back at the village rather than staying in slums. But for better opportunities for her children, Vanita preferred staying in a city.

She says, “I not only got technical training but also got a vision and hope for the future. The instructor taught other aspects of life too. It was then that I decided to be a professional beautician”.

Vanita further pursued another course and became highly skilled.  She has overcome all her weaknesses with her strong desire and determination. Today she is a full time employee in a renowned Beauty Parlour. She also provides home service in the neighbourhood and earns Rs. 5000 a month.  She is very happy and proud. She does not want to stop here. She is learning spoken English at IDEA to be able to communicate with customers. Illiteracy has never been a hurdle in her progress though she is aware of importance of education. She could not take proper education but she has a strong desire to educate her children. She is happy to shell out money from her pocket for their education. She has found ways to overcome all the hurdles. A very positive change in her communication, grooming and behaviour is noted. Vanita is taking steps to set up Parlour and become an entrepreneur.

Thank you dear friends for enabling IDEA to train women. It is because of your support that we continue our intervention. Thank you for beautifying lives of many underprivileged women.