Project स्वावलम्बन: Reflections

'Project Swavlamban' was initiated as a 'Gesture of Gratefulness' to all 'Didis' (housekeeping staff)
for their sincere work and dedicated efforts.

Project स्वावलम्बन: Reflections

The one of many highlights of 'Project Swavlamban' was the wrap-up event when our women trainees showed a lot of confidence and had big smiles on their faces to display and sell their homemade products of different kinds.

'Project Swavlamban' was initiated as a 'Gesture of Gratefulness' to all 'Didis' (housekeeping staff) for their sincere work and dedicated efforts. As a matter of fact, Project Swavlamban would have not been possible with such preciseness and professionalism if we had not secured the grant support. 

We were able to successfully execute 72 hour long capacity building training only because we had all the essential resources in place. Whether it was about back-to-back skill training sessions or it was about helping them organize the wrap-up exhibition in order to sell their handmade art and craft products; it all turned out to be an accomplished project as we had financial support to provide these energetic and ready-to-learn groups of women with all the necessary mentoring and materials. 

The one of many highlights of 'Project Swavlamban' was the wrap-up event.

The one of many highlights of 'Project Swavlamban' was the wrap-up event when our women trainees showed a lot of confidence and had big smiles on their faces to display and sell their homemade products of different kinds. Also, the certificate distribution ceremony was the testinominal of the grand success of 'Project Swavlamban' that enabled these women to realize their true potential and all the credit goes to the support we received through the grant.

For all of us, 'Project Swavlamban' has been a great learning experience in various ways and means. Working with the housekeeping women staff has made us realize and learn the following important takeaways, 

1. These women are very much aspiring and have passion to make their mark, irrespective of their backgrounds and professions. 
2. They are keen to become self-dependent and want to support their families to the best of their abilities. 
3. What they needed was a bit of inspiration and a detailed set of guidance in order to make their aspirations come true. 
4. Some of these women showed extraordinary entrepreneurial skills and executed the assigned tasks and activities very well. 
5. Most of the women worked really well when they performed in a team setting. 
6. Many of these women took active part in the wrap-up exhibition and produced their best work. 
7. When encouraged and motivated, they willingly participated in opening their saving accounts and exhibited interest in various money saving banking schemes too. 
8. Almost all of them came from humble backgrounds and working full time as a housekeeping staff required them to dedicate more than 8 to 10 hours a day; yet they managed to attend more than 75% of training programs overall. 
9. Initially, they were a little shy and hesitant but overtime, they started showcasing their openness and readiness to learn and become confident with each passing day. 
10. Last but not the least, their attitude towards themselves changed for the better and they all were appreciated and acknowledged by the higher management of the university, by the end of the project.
    
    

    

    'Project Swavlamban' has been a great learning experience in various ways and means.

Keeping these takeaways in mind, the entire team of organizers and facilitators have felt fulfilled and satisfied with their contributions and have become determined to keep this spark of change and betterment alive, even during their informal interactions with these women. 

With working closely, we have developed more respect and a sense of belongingness to these groups of super-women and we hope to continue this chain of change in future as well.

The entire team of organizers and facilitators felt fulfilled and satisfied with their contributions to Project स्वावलम्बन.

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