Formerly the Amar Jyoti Sewing Centre, Pragati - meaning “progress” in Hindi - offers women from poor backgrounds exactly that: the opportunity to progress. The centre operates in Katorwa village, Bodhgaya, under the direction of the Dwyer Foundation, led by Priye Ranjan Dwyer, who is also secretary of the Prajna Vihar Inter-religious Society.
Women and girls are taught basic sewing and tailoring skills, giving them the ability to earn an income. The program enables participants to buy or loan a sewing machine for small-business ventures, and to take on garment-stitching contracts from urban retailers. The emphasis is always on ownership, empowerment and future development.
Ongoing support includes personal visits and a WhatsApp group for peer connection and business collaboration, with plans to establish a micro-credit system. We are very proud to support a project that gives real empowerment to women.
What your support provides
- Sewing and tailoring training for tribal women and girls
- Access to sewing machines through purchase or loan
- Connections to garment-stitching contracts for income
- A peer network - with micro-credit on the way
