Women’s Job Training
We offer three-month courses in sewing, computer-literacy, English and beauty therapy, as these are all jobs we’ve found women can do from home while caring for children. Each course costs $200 USD (roughly $300 AUD) for one woman, which includes setting-up business links to aid them in the future.
In developing countries, women statistically invest 90% of their wages into their families, while men only invest 60%. When women are empowered and earn their own money, they can become independent and leave abusive situations. This, in turn, increases the welfare of the entire community. One issue that many women we help face is alcoholism, especially among men. This is why empowering women makes a difference.
Slum School – Part-Time Study Centres
We have four slum schools, each with about 50 – 60 children. These study centres are informal support networks created to offset the poor quality of education in public schools. We focus on reading, writing, mathematics, and science during our three-hour daily classes for students aged 8 – 12.
Food Centre
A significant amount of children in India still suffer from poor nutrition. Despite stereotypes surrounding sub-Saharan Africa, Indian children often struggle more. We make over 7,000 meals per year for children aged 5 – 8; this integral service is essential, as children of this age need proper nutrition during this key time in their growth.
Community Hub and Temple
We have a library and a quiet space where children can come to relax, read, and study. We also offer free counselling sessions, legal advice for women, and are building a support network for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
We also have a small Buddhist temple for the community. Here, we teach meditation, conflict resolution, temporary ordination, general classes, and host retreats. We are not missionaries, and can only teach Buddhism to those who are already Buddhist.
In the stressful environment of slums, arguments and tensions surrounding resources, rights, and money are unfortunately quite common. Women and children need a space to decompress and handle mental anguish. Therefore, we are currently in the process of creating a retreat centre a short distance away from Nagpur.