An idea of Hiren Shah, president of RC Surendranagar, RID 3060, has blossomed into Project Kala Karmapeeth, empowering 155 women and girls through skilling in six vocational courses.
With the objective of giving regular income to women, a vocational training centre was inaugurated by DG Amardeep Singh Bunet in July. Training is now being given in tailoring, beauty art, mehndi, resin art, hand embroidery and upholstery design by trained instructors. The courses vary from one to three months, and cost between ₹500–900, says Shah.
The monthly expense of ₹80,000 is funded by members and donors. Women Rotarians and Anns visit the centre to help the teachers and share their expertise.
There is palpable excitement at the centre as the first batches are about to complete their three-month courses in tailoring and beauty care. Sheth Jigna, 28, says the tailoring course “has given me stitching skills that will fetch me a regular income.” Her friend Nisha Kela (35) is confident that with resin art she can decorate plates, bowls and jewellery, and make gift articles for social and family events. And with mehndi/resin skills, Urmi Patel (25) can get orders for weddings, festivals and family parties.
The project team is now negotiating with banks to offer loans at subsidised interest to the women.