23 February 2010

Savita, a young woman aged 23, has just completed her training and is now teaching young girls in sewing skills, a much needed trade in her community. With the help of some colleagues she is now producing childrens’ school uniforms for Australian students. From a girl who grew up in the slums of Jaipur, Savita’s life and circumstances have dramatically changed.

Through the kindness of Australians and the work of Helping Hands, women and girls like Savita have been empowered and enabled to move further away from a life of poverty in the slums of India. By providing people with the skills they need, individuals and families are able to gain employment they would not previously have attained.

Living standards have improved by as much as 80% among the people participating in Helping Hands vocational training programs in these slum areas.

“There is an ongoing rise in employment within community members who have undergone some form of skill, business or vocational training.” expresses project manager Bob Mann. “Currently we are educating 195 children with 80% of those students graduating to higher education.”

Helping Hands has provided the slum community with multiple opportunities to break out of often hopeless circumstances, through activities concerning health, education, skills for employment or simply hygiene within their homes. Training, education, practical workshops and sewing centres have helped move the community towards more sustainable economic growth, healthier living and increased prospects of a better future.

We wish to thank all donors and child sponsors who support the work of Helping Hands.