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Women's Economic Empowerment through Co-operative Farming, Vocational
Training & Business Development
Goal Of the Project:
The George Foundation has initiated a sustainable integrated
rural development program to empower poor women, especially single women,
widows and young mothers by raising their status in the community through
income generation.
Short Term Objectives:
- An opportunity is provided for women to learn the necessary skills
of cottage farming, co-operative farming and cash crop cultivation through
agricultural training and support to earn the resources to start their
own small-scale businesses in 3-5 years. Women learn to use new
technology, improved methods of agriculture and horticulture.
- Women are taught the basics of financial management such as opening
a savings account, and business entrepreneurship. A co-operative bank
for the people to be started by the Foundation will be an extension
of this program.
- Women will be taught the skills of measuring, drafting, cutting and
sewing garments. They will be guided in the use of electric sewing machines.
Fabric choices, color combinations and basic design of clothing will
be taught.
- Some educated women will achieve computer literacy. Basic computer skills such as
proficiency in functional languages for beginners and advanced programs
for senior students will be a separate component.
- Women will be trained in hygienic food processing to utilize the
produce of their farming work.
- Cattle rearing and poultry will be phased in as the program develops.
- Young children (1-4 years of age) of women farmers get an opportunity
to be in a stimulating nursery environment while their mothers work
for a few hours each day. Their basic nutritional needs will be met
at the center and pre nursery equipment will pave the way for their
education.
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