GIFT THE GIFT OF EDUCATION TO AN UNDER-SERVED GIRL

In India youth and women in our society are in need of livelihood options. However, most often they do not have the means to get the required skill sets, therefore life is led with limitations.

Our Karigari Program helps to improve the status of Women / Youth in the society by providing them with choices to earn their livelihood and skill building dependent on their preferences and aptitude.

Computer literacy offered at our centers allows beneficiaries to build careers in IT related fields like BPO Centers, Data Processing Units and lately in UID centers etc. especially in the cities like Delhi, Gurgaon & Kolkata is hence creating entrepreneurs.Stitching, Embroidery, Beauty Culture, Jewellery design & making, also Block Printing, Tie & Die etc enables the beneficiaries to work in the garment industry or set up their own units.Vocational training in driving encourages beneficiaries to build careers as drivers in the automobile, transport and travel industry or seek self-employment as professional drivers.

Community based skills like home kitchen gardening, and organic farming empowers them to sustain themselves in their community. The opportunities are created in the following manner:

• Step 1: Conduct a survey of the area and identify beneficiaries
• Step 2: Assess the skills/ trainings that will be most beneficial to them
• Step 3: Set up Support
• Step 4: Invite beneficiaries for an orientation session
• Step 5: Regular ongoing training till completion of the program
• Step 6: Workshop on business development and motivational sessions
• Step 7: Support to set up business and provide ongoing support to sustain the business

What makes Karigari unique:

-Complete program is free of charge, with all equipment and raw material provided by Literacy India

- The beneficiaries are exposed to real life workshops at the centre where the work is happening

- The involvement of Literacy India does not end with training. There are regular visits by coordinators to help the beneficiaries get jobs and start their own enterprise.

 About Community:

‘Literacy India’ started ‘Accessory making course’ at a community center in Belgachia, Liluah, Howrah, West Bengal. The duration of this course is 6 months and entails two classes per week. This course offers free learning to its students about the skill of accessory & jewellery making. Also, they are aided with methods of understanding & enhancing product, clients and markets for their future business. This course enables the women/girls from poor economic background, to gain employment/entrepreneurial opportunity making them confident and self-sustained.

Student Testimonial:“Life changed after accessory making course. Our family could not imagine that simple beads, hooks, threads, bangles can change our life. At present we are doing business by making jewellery and selling in market .We are also selling in person and through Facebook. Everybody in our family respects us as we are contributing to the family income.”

 From October 2018 to April 2019, 15 students were enrolled in Accessory making course. 7 out of these 15 students, have joined our brand- Indha, for jewellery/accessory work and rest have started their own business.Indha is the women empowerment Platform of LiteracyIndia which gives them identity and helps them to sell their work to the donors/well wishers through the website www.indha.in.

 Recent Activities:

•  To increase student enrolments & spread awareness, door-to-door mobilisation and group meetings were conducted. The parents of current students witnessed the progress of their child in class.
• Students attended orientation and motivational sessions by viewing ‘Girl Star Video’ clippings from UNICEF.
• E-learning class was held to educate students regarding marketing the products using social media like Facebook & WhatsApp.
• Students visited local market and boutiques for getting exposure and knowledge about the skill and latest market trends
• They attended several local exhibitions and corporate sales, to have a better understanding of the market and customers’ needs.
• Discussions about product quality & finishing were held over conference call with CEO, Capt Indraani Singh & team, from Head Office in Gurgaon. These inputs were very useful for students

  MY PURSUIT TO INDEPENDENCE: TARANA ( NAME CHANGED )

 Tarana (name changed), resides at Liluah, Howrah in Kolkata. Tarana belongs to schedule caste family. Her father works at clerk level in a government company earning family income of around INR 10,000-11,000 pm.

Tarana is involved with ‘Literacy India’ since November 2017. First, she completed her beauty salon course. Then, she joined accessory making course in July 2018. After completing this course, she started her business as she wanted to support her family financially. She is a persistent, sincere and hardworking girl. She is also a very quick learner.

She started using internet and social media, to search for new designs and prepared them for sale. She used Facebook to advertise the products. At present she has a good client base through Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Her monthly income is about INR 3000-4000.She is glad that she learnt the accessory making skill through ‘Literacy India’, which has made her an independent girl. She works hard and seeks further opportunities to expand the scope of her business and income.

Links:

• Education A Necessity To Reduce Unemployment