GIFT THE GIFT OF EDUCATION TO AN UNDER-SERVED GIRL

Karigari helps to improve the status of women / Youth in society by providing them with livelihood options through vocational training in the areas, based on beneficiaries’ preferences and aptitude:

• Computer literacy will allow beneficiaries to have careers in IT related fields like BPO Centers, Data Processing Units and lately in UID centers etc especially at our centers in the cities like Delhi, Gurgaon & Kolkata and creating entrepreneurs. 
• Stitching, Embroidery, Beauty Culture, Block Printing, Tie & Die etc will allow beneficiaries to have employment in the garment industry or set up their own stitching and tailoring units. 
• Vocational training in driving will allow beneficiaries to have careers as drivers in automobile, transport and travel industry or seek self-employment as professional drivers

• Community based skills- Home stay, kitchen gardening, Organic farming empowering beneficiaries to sustain in their community.

Activity conducted

 The activities are to be carried out in following manner: 

• Regular ongoing training for every centers
• Workshop on business development and motivational sessions.
• Conducting monthly test to measure the progress level of beneficiaries 
• Regular center visit by coordinators and review meetings
• Final test conducted of the enrolled beneficiaries 
• Successful completion of the course by enrolled 90% beneficiaries  
• Assistance to start the enterprise by women Artisan 

Name : Manjubala  ( Name changed)              Age: 26         Location : West Bengal 

 Manjubala - a mother of two children was low on self- esteem, helpless and insecure when we met her. Manju lives in the remote village of Jhalda-II block areas with her family and two siblings. Her husband works in the Ananda Marga school hostel and earns about Rs.5000/- per month. Being the sole breadwinner of a joint family, it was difficult for them to make ends meet. Hence, Manjubala and her husband were on the look- out for other options that would give them regular employment. Manju was keen to learn some skills which would help her generate a little income for her family.

She attended Literacy India’s vocational training center at Khatanga and enrolled herself for the Cutting & Tailoring six month program. On completion of the training, she was adept in tailoring. However, she couldn't find sufficient orders to rely on and generate enough income. She soon decided that she would have to find work in another area, away from home. She launched her tailoring shop. She took loan of Rs.50,000/- from a relative  and  expanded her tailoring shop to a readymade garment shop. Her soon started generating an income of Rs.10,000/- per month. This not only improved her standard of living, but today she also owns her own house.

What makes Manjubala happiest is that she can provide her children with an education.

 Now she is focusing on improving her revenues and has plans to open another shop in Jhalda. This will help her maximize her earnings and also create new job opportunities for the poor.

She conveys best regards and respects to Capt: Indraani Singh, CEO, Literacy India whose support helped her become an entrepreneur.

 In Manjubala’s words, “Time at Literacy India gave me a sense of direction and awareness about what I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life. Earlier, I was just a shy and naïve person and had never thought I could grow so much as a person, in terms of skill and knowledge. The officials of Literacy India have helped to bring out the untapped potential in me by showing me that there is a world full of things to be done and dreams to be achieved." 

Links:

• Pilot Project