Empowering women for a better tomorrow

DHANPATMAL VIRMANI EDUCATION TRUST & MANAGEMENT SOCIETY

WOMEN LITERACY PROGRAMME under the title “Providing Functional Literacy to Women in India (Project No. 1784)”

India has 287 million illiterate adults, says a report named EDUCATION FOR ALL GLOBAL MONITORING REPORT 2013/14 by U.N.
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO.

“EDUCATION IS THE KEY FOR WOMEN TO MOVE UP THE LADDER OF SOCIETY.”

The Virmani Trust has in the last 10 years taught 22,370 Adult Women to read and write Hindi, Arithmetic and Vocational Skills.

VIRMANI TRUST started the Women Literacy Program in 2004 with the objective of educating the illiterate women, so that they can
improve the quality of their life and the life of their entire family.

The mission of the Trust is to bring happiness & joy in the lives of the disadvantaged & marginalized section of society.

An educated woman in society:-

1. Will assist in reducing the infant mortality rate.

2. Will control the increasing population.

3. Gains self-respect and confidence.

4. Becomes aware of health issues.

5. Is able to manage financial matters.

6. Is able to travel and communicate easily.

Our target this year is to have 400 centres and teach 24,000 Adult Women.

Dhanpatmal Virmani Education Trust uses computer based functional literacy module. This is an animated software, which
provides basic knowledge of Hindi alphabets and numbers for simple mathematical activities.

To start a centre, an educated lady from the community is selected and given training. Her jhuggi/home serves as a class
room for the women beneficiaries of the area. Hence, the system provides a suitable space for illiterate women in their own
atmosphere.

At present 362 Women Literacy Centers in and around Delhi supported by Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) and
others are being successfully run by the Trust.

We have also introduced vocational training courses, like tailoring and beauty culture at our selected centers in New Delhi and
adjoining towns, so that the women can earn a little more for their families. This will help in raising their standard of living and gain
self respect in the community.

We are also providing books, magazines, newspapers and other stationary material to the beneficiaries. Also we organized Rallies
for Celebrating Festivals, Annual Day.

RALLY

Beneficiaries of Women Literacy Centers also play a very important role for themselves as individuals and also for other illiterate
women. They organize a Rally Programme on every Saturday in their own residential area. Due to this well organized programme,
other women are also motivated and encouraged and also they are able to come out of their houses for their own benefits and for
self-employment. The impact of this programme also plays an important role in women’s nature, their hesitation is reduced and Self
confidence is also instilled in the women.

OUR PASSOUT BENEFICIARIES ALSO PLAY THE ROLE OF INSTRUCTORS (teachers) IN OUR CENTERS. SO THAT THEY CAN
MOTIVATE OTHERS BENEFICIARIES REGARDING EDUCATION.

Case Studies

Amina

Narela

I felt quite embarrassed whenever I visited the school of my children because when the teacher asked for initials in report or even when I use to go to some offices where signature was required.

Then I met Anuradhadidi who had been running a women literacy center near my area of residence where free of cost literacy was provided to the women of the community. I got myself enrolled in the course and after completion now I am able to do basic calculations associated with the small shop that I have been able to open with the assistance of my family afterwards. Sometimes I even read newspaper and magazines in which I am trying to build profound interest. I am thankful to the efforts TPDDL has been doing for the betterment of the society.

It fills us with pride and joy to learn that illiterate women taught at our centers are now able to read the bus destination and bus
numbers and are able to use a telephone, and read newspaper as well as their children’s report card. Also they are able to attend
their children’s school meetings. Education is very important for women, not only for them but for a whole family because
women are the mothers of the future generation.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

SELF HELP GROUP Virmani Trust along with
Tata Power believe that Economic Empowerment of women, strengthens families and societies. It has therefore launched Women’s
Empowerment Programme to provide sustainable economic opportunities to poor women in Slum Areas. The women coming for
learning have been asked to form Self Help Groups so that they can build up small savings and finance self employment. A group
of 15 to 20 women belonging to our Women Literacy Center, deposit money into a bank account. The women of this group borrow
from this account at a nominal interest as per their needs.

As on date, 155 such Self Help Group bank accounts have been opened. Our target is to open 300 accounts by the end of this year.

“ This scheme has been of immense benefit to the poor women living in the slums.”

Many Thanks

Anil Virmani