The career pathways project prevents human trafficking,
and ends the cycle of poverty in each child's life.
250+ children provided with:
education
Vocational education
career training
daily Lunch
Career pathways started with a computer lab
We started this project in 2014 by funding a computer lab in Kakdwip village. Children there learn basic computer skills to expand their education and give them exposure to technology as a possible career choice. In 2016 we expanded the computer lab by adding 5 more computers. Recently we started a new computer training program with our partner, ISRC, in Kolkata, with a focus on training teen girls.
In 2015, our generous donors funded sewing machines in Kakdwip so that a group of older children could learn tailoring skills. In 2017, we funded a sewing training program in Kolkata that is still running five years later.
Sewing Training in Kolkata Slum area
This training began in April 2017 with 8 teenage girls who live in the slum areas of Kolkata. The girls range in age from 13 to 18 and none of them have the ability to complete their education due to poverty. Some of these girls have never attended school.
The first class graduated with a certificate in advanced sewing on May 2, 2018 and the next class begun. We are now on our 5th year of sewing students! Now facilitated through our partners at the Indian Society for the Rehabilitation of Children (ISRC), this training empowers vulnerable girls to support themselves and move out of the slums.
To run this training costs just $550 per month which covers:
Rent of a small flat to host the training in
Skilled instructor
4 half days of training
12 sewing machines to train with
Lunch provided each day
Length of the training depends on the ability and motivation of each student but is estimated to run about 12 months.
Each girl who completes the training will receive their very own sewing machine and supplies to start their own businesses immediately.
our vision for the future of this project
Fund more English teachers.
Provide cooking classes.
Offer pathways to several different career options as children finish (or can't finish) their secondary education.
Provide safe housing options once the teen girls age out of the children's home and are in the vocational education and training program.
Develop a micro-loan program for students who want to start their own business.
We asked some of the girls in the program, "What do you want to be when you grow up?". We believe EVERYONE should get to dream about the answer to that question. Helping them achieve their dreams will eliminate their risk of being trafficked. These teen girls attend school and will be trained in the vocation of their choice.
Help Break the cycle of poverty!
