As families are drawn out of poverty and micro-businesses expand, entire communities will benefit as jobs are created, knowledge is shared, and civic participation increases. In many cases, these Dalit men and women receive their due recognition as valuable members of society. DFN partners are funding training programs for unskilled men and women and enabling them to achieve vocational skills. This is very significant, especially for the Dalit women who are often considered the “Dalits of Dalits.” In fact, the vast majority of training and loans are directed at women. Studies have shown that women are more likely to reinvest their earnings in a business that results in the overall betterment of their family members.
LIFE STORY:
When Shaila learned that there was tailoring instruction at the local Good Shepherd School she was very excited. She realized that this was her opportunity to redeem her lost dream of learning a vocation skill and earning a better income.
Shaila is part of the second class to receive training at the Tailoring Centre. She worked diligently to learn the skill well and regularly practiced on the sewing machine available at the centre.
After graduating from the tailoring course and earning her certificate, Shaila immediately started her home based tailoring business. Today she is earning a significant income and is able to take good care of her family. Whenever she meets her friends who are struggling financially she recommends that they join the Good Shepherd Tailoring Class and gain financial empowerment.