Vocational Skills Development Program
Hope’s Vocational Skills Development Program is the instructional program with hands-on training that prepares the beneficiaries for the occupations that require specialized skills, such as beautician, cutting & tailoring, zardozi (metal embroidery), computer skills and cooking and baking. The program aims at improving the earning potential and empowerment of its beneficiaries.
The program’s primary objective is to impart and enhance the skills of learners, enabling them to undertake employment or establish their own enterprises, thus fostering self-dependence. It further aids in identifying job opportunities and facilitating the placement of students who successfully complete the courses, thereby building their confidence and enhancing their earning potential. Beyond skills development, engagement with the Hope Project offers a gateway to other programs such as health, education, and self-help groups, all contributing to the overall well-being of the beneficiaries. The learners also have the opportunity to participate in community programs, outings, and meetings with visitors, broadening their perspectives and giving them exposure beyond their daily lives. Moreover, the program provides a platform for the youth in the community to raise awareness about education and employment opportunities.
The Livelihood and Income Generation Program comprises three key interventions: vocational training, a self-help group, and support for women’s micro-enterprises. These interventions collectively address the economic challenges faced by the beneficiaries and empower them to improve their livelihoods and financial stability.
Cutting & Tailoring
A six-month certified training course for cutting & tailoring is offered primarily to community women and girls. The trainees are taught in traditional men’s and women’s clothing and fashion wear. Some of the women have made their way to self-employment after learning from us. Many other trainees create products for The Hope Project. These products are displayed and sold at exhibitions and special handicraft markets as well as Christmas Markets organized by embassies in India. This focused promotion of women’s craft has changed their status in their families, contributing to their empowerment. Every year, on average 160 women and girls are trained in cutting & tailoring skills.
Beauty Culture
The one-year program of Beauty Culture trained the beneficiaries in a variety of beauty enhancing skills. They are also trained in trending beauty techniques to increase their earning potential. Every year, on average 160 women and girls are trained in beauty culture skills.
Computer Skills
Modern India today requires well-trained administrators and computer professionals. To this end, the project offers computer courses for women and men as well as for all students in the Hope Project, with a focus to equip them with the technical know-how to use office programs and photo editing software. Due to the family’s low economic status, Hope offers these courses free of cost to its beneficiaries. Every year 100 beneficiaries, on average, are trained in computer skills.
Baking and Catering
Baking and Catering have always been considered as important skills to be developed among the adolescent boys and girls as well as women with the objectives of promoting livelihood programmes in the Basti. They are trained by experienced and highly skilled trainers from India and abroad. The trained group is known as ‘Basti Bakers’. Foods and bakery items are prepared on order during special occasions and Christmas Market organized by embassies in India. The cakes, cookies, muffins and dishes of Indian Cuisine prepared by Basti Bakers are supplied to friends and agencies/institutions on order.
