In 2023, the Barzilai Foundation launched a partnership with Chetana Global Foundation to support communities in India, in part by equipping women with the skills and equipment they need to launch new careers in tailoring and sewing. In addition to the successful courses held in Guntur – Andhra Pradesh, this partnership offered an opportunity for our foundation to help more women in India trying to secure a better standard of living.
Even with a new vocational skillset, the graduates face a significant barrier in obtaining the equipment they need, which can cost a full month’s income, to pursue tailoring professionally. To remove this barrier, in July, the Barzilai Foundation provided a sewing machine for each graduate of a 70-student sewing class hosted by Chetana and held in Guntur, India.
“These machines are crucial. Without them, these women who are striving to generate critical income for their households can do nothing with the skills they just learned,” said Kesava Majji, Program Advisor for the Barzilai Foundation.
While the program opens doors for women to work in larger companies, it also equips them to take the more common route of operating as an independent businesswoman serving their local community. Having a local resource who has the equipment and skills to provide quality, low-cost clothing is a boost for many lower-income neighborhoods.
“Now, these graduates are fully equipped to earn money from day one,” said Brandon Sosa, CEO of the Barzilai Foundation. “We cherish this opportunity expand our impact with our partners and boost the efforts of people aiming for brighter futures. At the Barzilai Foundation, we’re enthusiastic about how our impact in India continues to grow.”
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The Barzilai Foundation is expanding our vocational training programs with a new tailoring program in Tangier, Morocco that will provide both new skills and equipment for participants, as well as job placement support.
Barzilai Foundation partnered with Chetana Foundation to provide a two-month sewing and tailoring vocational training program in Andra Pradesh, India, creating new opportunities for individuals in need of earning income to support their families.
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A new sewing vocational training program in Visakhapatnam, India, will expand our work providing skills and paths to employability. Designed for individuals living below the poverty line whose lives would be transformed with an employable skillset.
As part of the Barzilai Apprenticeship Program, a father of three supports the community through his new role as a handyman for the EV Foundation after his business is hurt by COVID pandemic.