Dalit Freedom Network Canada

This month, in lieu of writing a Project update we are inviting you to share your thoughts, opinions, and stories. We are asking you to write a comment on this page telling us and other readers why you support this particular project. What is it about sewing machines that interests you? What made you decide to get involved?

The staff of DFN Canada truly believes that you are as much a part of what is happening in India as we are. We are very thankful to have you as part of the team.

Let us know why this cause caught your attention!

Treadle sewing machines are used in all our vocational training centres as they can run without electricity. This allows women living in rural villages to work regardless of a nearby electricity connection. Providing a centre with a sewing machine means more women can be trained and thus freed from either unemployment or degrading and demanding physical labour. 

The third batch of students has just completed training at NGP’s tailoring centre. The eleven young women now hope to use their new sewing skills to supplement their income from working labour jobs. The girls learned to make paper patters, to sew by hand, and also to use a sewing machine to make a vast number of different clothing items. Some of these girls will bring much-needed income to their struggling families, therefore decreasing the burden their parents bear. The tailoring teacher reports that the graduates are all more confident now that they have a viable skill and can contribute to their family’s well-being.

At PLK school in the state of Andhra Pradesh, there is a somewhat unique element to the tailoring trailing centre: after each six-month class finishes, the centre is relocated to a new village. In this way they are offering vocational training to women in many different communities who may not have the time or finances to commute to a permanent centre. There are currently sixteen students receiving tailoring instruction; they are the third group to be trained.