On Sunday, September 26, 2021, a women entrepreneurship training program was organized for the women at Kotagiri village in Nilgiris. The goal of this program is to empower poverty-stricken women and make them self-sufficient and self-sustainable.
18 women from below the poverty line were chosen for the day-long, interactive training. The participants learned how to prepare detergent powder, multi-purpose liquid soap oil, and phenyl (fluid disinfectant). They also learned how to develop a business and make earnings from it. Participants understood how to source raw material, as well as how to properly mark and market their products, among other things.
Establishing their own businesses during the pandemic is a key part of sustaining their families and contributing to their quality of life.
The participants of this women entrepreneurship program became motivated by thoughts of being important and contributing members of their families, by obtaining social status and gaining economic independence. Some of the women who participated in the program stated that establishing this business will help give their economic situation a boost as their family income has dropped down after COVID-19 hit their village and wages paid for tea leaves pluckers have plummeted.
The goal for this program is to extend it in all Hope Learning Station locations at one project per month.
Special thanks to the Hope Learning Station teachers in Nilgiris who helped in organizing the whole event successfully. The tasty lunch feast was sponsored by the Lions Club of Coimbatore.
