Project Karigari was established in 1997 with an aim to provide training and livelihood to marginalised women across India. The motto of the project is ‘Earn while you Learn’, which draws from Literacy India’s three pillars — Education, Empowerment, Employment. While education is at the core of our efforts to mainstream marginalised women, training them for jobs is equally important.Karigari believes that women and the youth are torch bearers of sustainable development. Their potential as agents of change in the lives of their children and their communities at large need to be harnessed.

By providing education and employability skills to women, Karigari aims to reduce social and economic inequality. Through this project women gain confidence and are not only able to manage their households better, but they also become a part of the decision-making process, which is traditionally male dominated.

Karigari projects have been implemented in tribal districts, which include some of the most under-developed regions of the country. The project links the backward communities with modern livelihood options and trains them with employable skills.

Earn while you Learn

Under the concept of ‘Earn while you Learn,’ the women and youngsters in the programme are taught a variety of skills. The beneficiaries are selected after a community survey. After the students are admitted in the training process, they are evaluated, and a certificate is provided. Every year, these women and youngsters are placed in garment factories, export houses, private companies, corporate houses, beauty parlours and so on, depending upon the skill they have honed. Few even start businesses after availing the interest-free loan from us. A number of tailoring pass-outs are promoted and provided placement in Indha, which sustains the skills development project of Karigari. Most women who are trained under Karigari sell their handcrafted products through Indha.

Skills imparted

·        Computer courses certified by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology & NSDC

·        Hardware & networking, CCNA

·        CNC training, Air condition and refrigeration repair work

·        Stitching and Tailoring

·        Embroidery

·        Block printing, tie and die

·        Beauty, Wellness and Spa therapy

·        Organic farming, Vermi culture and kitchen gardening

·        Baking and cooking, Food processing and food preservation

·        Nursing & Para medical Course from accredited institutes

·        Candle making, Soap making

·        E- Tutor

·        Machine Knitting & hand knitting

·        Goat Rearing

·        Electrical Training

·        Mobile Repairing

·        Jewellery Accessories making

·        Future Skill course Digital Marketing, Web Developer

·        DTP , Graphic Designing &   Tally

Highlights of 2019-20

• Conducted training and orientation of e-tutors who were trained to use the internet, Skype, Google classroom, Google Duo, Zoom App, GyantantraUdbhav
• Volunteers interacted with women artisans and held financial literacy workshops
• Mobile repairing classes were held, and students were shown how YouTube videos can be used to learn about latest technological development in the field
• Exposure visits to garment factory and export houses
• Interest-free micro loan was provided to a variety of businesses like goat rearing, cow rearing, kitchen gardening, vermicompost preparation, sewing machine, vegetable stall, mask preparation, cosmetics business, dry food business and the likes
• Women artisans were trained to use WhatsApp and Google to be updated on new designs, and latest fashion trends
• Students were also enrolled in ‘Talk to me in English’ leaning programme