After undergoing the seven day training programme, Santosh learnt the basics of stitching and soon started imparting her knowledge by conducting classes of her own in her village.Our lives were in shambles. It was extremely difficult for us to find jobs that would sustain for long periods. We were also unable to repay the loans we had taken. There was no alternative but to continue working hard, sometimes in someone else's fields and sometimes as a domestic help. Fortunately, the Silai school came to my rescue, recalls Santosh.
Five years ago she began by training 4-5 women, now over 100 women have been trained by her. Initially she charged Rs 200 per student which has now increased to Rs 1,000.Learning sewing skills helped me get back in the community and as people came to know about the programme. They showed interest and hence I opened my own school to pass on the knowledge and skills. However, my fundamental aim is to open the Silai school was to not let any other women from my village undergo the hardships I have been through, says Santosh.
When I had first joined the school, my stitching patterns were irregular and raw. And now I can make clothes with different designs. From kurtas, suits, salwars to T-shirts, I can confidently stitch clothes. My next goal is to train atleat 5-6 women who can stitch high level designer clothes.
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USHA hopes they will be able to capitalise on this advantage and that their continued intervention will turn Puducherry into a strong contender in the silambam circuit of India
USHA has been persistently promoting local traditions and culture around the country, whether through traditional forms of art and craft or indigenous forms of spor
Yoga is practised worldwide by millions of people in many forms and variations. At its core, it is a mind-body practise combining physical posture, breathing techniques, and meditation for both health and relaxation
USHA has been joining hands with like minded partners as well as individuals to bring the benefits to as many women beneficiaries as possible
Kushalta Ke Kadam, an initiative by NDTV and USHA, aims at empowering women from rural India and encourages them to become entrepreneurs by taking up sewing and training others in their respective communities. Since 2011 Usha Silai Campaign has trained more than 3.95 lakh rural women within five years, with 17,000 Silai schools, spanning over 9272 Indian villages in India.
Kushalta Ke Kadam in Season 4 has returned with new goals and vision. The new season will witness the establishment of the new cluster in Kashmir, apart from the existing four clusters setup last year. The women from volatile Kashmir will work with well-known fashion designer Rohit Bal and get an unique opportunity to learn from him and make clothes for him. The work done by the Silai School women will be presented at Lakme Fashion week 2019.
Rebari girls grow up learning traditional embroidery, which along with their new found sewing skills developed at Usha Silai Schools, is helping them earn a living.
Usha Silai School has empowered many rural women to support their family and send their children to school.
The Usha Silai School, established in a small nondescript village that goes by the name of Kottai, is helping empower people from varied communities.
The all-inclusive Usha Silai School Programme covers the entire nation from hamlets tucked between hills to villages cast by the sea.
Vegetables farmers from the Mizoram hills earn very little given the topography of the area. Usha Silai Schools have played an important part in this region by skilling women to financially contribute towards their households.
Usha Silai School learner Lucy has trained seven other women in her community, helping them to become financially independent.
Women like Kaviben from the nomadic Rebari community are finally laying down their roots as they begin to gain financial independence and thereby stability through Usha Silai School.
Usha Silai School, located in the Gujarat's Bhuj village, is enabling rural women to earn as much as Rs. 2,500-4,000 each month.
Usha Silai School, in association with a Gujarat based NGO called Kala Raksha, is trying to bring about a Silai revolution in Bhuj.
Besides training other women from their community, many Usha Silai School learners have become entrepreneurs in their own right.
With sewing becoming easily accessible and lucrative, the silai schools are also helping revive traditional motifs and designs.