GIFT THE GIFT OF EDUCATION TO AN UNDER-SERVED GIRL

BEATING  ODDS, CHANGING LIVES

by Capt. Indraani Singh

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:

• Mobilization and brief on activities
• Focus group discussion with beneficiaries
• Assistance to start the enterprise by  Trainees
• Training and support to start business  .
• Market survey and demand analysis
• Selection of location and space
• Facilitating soft loan from bank or SHG groups
• Procurement of required equipment to set up  business
• Operational the shop 

 Stories from Ground:

Name  :Gayatri( Name Changed)  Age : 37 Year  Location : Rajasthan

Gayatri is 37 years old, and a resident of Manoharthana, Rajasthan. Her husband works as a labourer in a furniture shop, earning Rs. 3000-4000/ per month. This income was insufficient to meet the needs of the family of 5. Hence, Gayatri started working as a sweeper in a clinic.  But she was not happy with the job.

In a community survey for livelihood, Gayatri got connected with Literacy India. In few of the Self Help Group meetings, she suggested that she could set up a flour mill in her home.  She did the market survey and concluded that the business would generate income for her. Literacy India provided her with the soft loan for the flour mill . She procured and completed the set up. She faced difficulties initially, especially in getting the commercial electric meter. However, she started operation soon.

Now she is running the flour mill successfully and earning Rs. 4000 – 5000 every month. She has started repaying  the loan through the monthly instalment of Rs. 1000 per month.

She is quite happy and motivated. She thanks Literacy India for supporting her and enabling her to be self-sufficient.

Links:

• Spearheading social change - Guided by digital transformation
• Literacy India Project Nandini