USHA SCHOOL INITIATIVE WEAVING DREAMS AND EMPOWERMENT

At VARHAD, we are dedicated to empowering women through skill development and economic independence. In partnership with Usha International Limited, we initiated the Usha School Initiative, a sewing training school that offers a free six-month sewing course to women from underprivileged backgrounds.

Through this program, women learn to stitch 15-20 types of garments, equipping them with valuable skills to pursue livelihoods in tailoring and garment-making. Recognizing the financial challenges faced by many participants, VARHAD identifies and supports those who cannot afford sewing machines after completing the course. We provide them with sponsored sewing machines, enabling them to start their own small businesses and become socio-economically self-reliant.

The Usha School Initiative not only imparts technical skills but also fosters confidence and independence among women, helping them build a sustainable future for themselves and their families.

BUILDING FUTURES WITH SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT

At VARHAD, we are dedicated to empowering women from marginalized backgrounds through our Skill Development Programmes and Livelihood Opportunities Initiative. We conduct various skill development and vocational training programmes, such as wax-making and incense stick production, to equip women with the tools they need to achieve financial independence.

Through collaborations with small-scale industries, we help these women secure better and appropriate employment opportunities. We also encourage them to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and engage in economic activities that foster collective growth and sustainability. Additionally, VARHAD provides monetary assistance to poor and needy women to help them start small businesses, enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute to their families and communities.

Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and empowering women to lead dignified, independent lives. .

EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES FOR WOMEN BEHIND BARS

• Adult Literacy Programmes for Women Prisoners:
  As a pioneering initiative, VARHAD’s Adult Literacy Programmes (ALP) provide imprisoned women with the opportunity to access formal education within prison walls. Through our collaborative efforts with the Education Department, Government of Maharashtra, 4th standard board examinations are now conducted in prison premises. Many women prisoners have successfully passed these exams, gaining essential knowledge and the confidence needed to reintegrate into mainstream society after their release.


• Vocational Training for Self-Reliance:
  VARHAD’s pathbreaking initiative provides vocational training to women prisoners, irrespective of caste, class, creed, or age, empowering them to become self-reliant even within prison walls. Through training in sewing, wax-making, and incense stick production, we equip them with essential skills to sustain themselves after their release. Additionally, we encourage them to save their earnings, fostering financial discipline and independence for a brighter future.


• Post-Release Support and Livelihood Opportunities:
  VARHAD collaborates with small-scale industries to secure employment opportunities for released women prisoners. These industries also provide vocational training, benefiting many women. Additionally, we encourage the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to improve their socio-economic conditions and overall quality of life, ensuring a smoother transition into society.