Usha Training Center Empowering Women With Skills And Economic Growth In Meghalaya's Mawlynnong

Nestled in the heart of Meghalaya, the village of Mawlynnong, has earned several titles - "God's Own Garden" for its breathtaking beauty, and "Asia's cleanest village" for its impeccable cleanliness. But Mawlynnong has plenty more to its credit. Mawlynnong boasts a high literacy rate and opportunities for women's empowerment, making it a multifaceted gem in northeast India. Situated 72 kilometers from the capital city of Shillong, Mawlynnong lies amid lush fruit orchards, babbling streams, swaying palms, and an expanse of greenery that stretches as far as the eye can see. These sylvan surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for the well-preserved Khasi traditions of the village.

Mawlynnong gained international recognition in 2003 by Discovery Magazine which crowned it as Asia's Cleanest Village. The people of Mawlynnong are very particular about keeping their village clean, even the dry leaves are disposed of in compost pits.

However, the women of Mawlinnong are not only solely dedicated to cleanliness. The USHA x TRAINING CUM PRODUCTION CENTER (TPC) is empowering local women in many different ways. In this center, the women gather after their morning chores, to acquire skills in cutting, measuring, stitching, and crafting finished products such as bags, pillow covers, and home decor items. These items find their way to local markets and hold the potential for exports to other nations, given the substantial tourist traffic in the region.

Sylvia Khonbunphang, a homemaker residing in Mawlynnong village, enrolled herself for the training to enhance her existing sewing skills and learn new things. She said,

By coming here, I learned many new skills, including measurements, designing bags, making kurta, blouse, and pants. If we forget any measurement or procedure, we discuss among ourselves many ideas of stitching and what should be done and what shouldn't.

The Usha Training Cum Production Center in Mawlynnong was established only eight months ago. The first batch of five women is nearing completion of their training, and the skills they have acquired have opened up new avenues for them.

Expressing his eagerness for more women to benefit from this training, Thomlin Khongthohrem, the headman of the village, said,

This training center is a positive sign. Recently, bags made here were sold to tourists and visitors, introducing a new design even for the villagers and bringing further benefit to the village.

Those coordinating the training on the ground also believe that the women of Mawlynnong can become empowered changemakers in their community if provided with the right tools and support.

Kishore Kalita, Program Coordinator, at Usha Silai School, said,

The women of this area are very interested in acquiring skills to create products for the local market. Usha has intervened and bridged this gap by establishing a TCP center here, supporting with machinery. We have provided 10 machines and trained around five women. This Training Cum Production center aims to not only impart skills but also create a ripple effect as trained individuals go on to train more people in the community.

It's the first of its kind in Mawlynnong, which had no tailor shop where residents could go and stitch something.