All too often, economic dependence means vulnerability. VIDYA’s Production Centres are programmes that help generate income for underprivileged women. Here we employ women after they have been through our skills training programmes. The aim is to make them financially independent members of their households--an achievement whose impact is far greater than purely financial. A woman who contributes to the household income not only benefits from an increased sense of self-confidence, but also elicits new respect both within and outside the home. Participants in these programmes also develop self-discipline and time management skills; learn to manage money through a series of workshops; further cultural integration and refine social skills through classroom interaction with peers of many different backgrounds. Ultimately, women are encouraged to view themselves as potential providers rather than dependents.



Udyog Kendra [New Delhi]

At Udyog Kendra, jute and hand-made paper are the order of the day. Jute is an eco-friendly equivalent to cloth. During the course of the programme, twelve to fifteen women take a workshop and learn the skill of making paper products, accessories and gift items e.g. bags, folders, frames, boxes and customised products, which can be adorned with intricate embroidery. Alongside exercising their practical and creative talents the women learn management, marketing and presentation skills also.

Due to the nature of this work, women can exercise their newly acquired skills within the home, opening avenues for extra income, or, like former student Gulshan, whose exquisite embroidery has secured her a job at the Noor Jehan Boutique, they can use their qualifications to secure outside employment.

At Udyog Kendra, paper becomes art. The programme trains fourteen to sixteen students and then employs the most skilled women in the production of a range of items including fashionable bags, picture frames, file covers, photo frames, and decorative boxes for tea, sweets, chocolate and dry fruit.

Today a level of quality has been reached such that Vidya are registered exporters of our products, with a recognised trademark. We are prepared for customised sampling and production of any product related to jute, cloth, paper, etc. Udyog Kendra supplies its products to bookstores, boutiques and organisations in Delhi, Mumbai and Goa as well as clients in the US and Europe.

Through working at Udyog Kendra women earn a good salary, enabling them to send their children to school and support their households. The programme’s aim is to impart skills and job experience so that employees can then successfully establish their own businesses or secure employment elsewhere.

There is very much a holistic educational approach employed at Udyog Kendra, including counselling, literacy, hygiene and English lessons. There are also a link from Vidya`s skill training centres, which allows women to find employment at Vidya`s production centres.

Our community outreach programme at Phule Nagar has found renewed spirit and has struck roots.

Regular classes are held for children in spoken English, environment studies and Hygiene.

Attempts are being made to organize events for women, especially for literacy and health awareness.

Kadambari Joshi, retired teacher from our Kendriya Vidyalaya School and Henrike Lott and Anna Marek, volunteers from AIESEC international, are holding visits at least 3 times a week. Several contact hours on Health and hygiene, and spoken English have been conducted and have found heartening responses that continue to inspire us to go forward. Deloitte-India, have extended their support in this endeavour. Their World Deloitte day on October 8 has been thoughtfully scheduled to include Phule Nagar community awareness on its agenda. Plans are being conceived to include manually cleaning its streets, conducting medical camps and holding a garage sale of useful bric a brac.