Education

Microfinance complements by having targeted intervention for ensuring educational attainment of the children from poor households. The poor households avail loans from their SHGs for their children’s educational needs. Smaller amounts would be sufficient to meet the needs of primary and secondary schooling of their children. Women look for higher amounts of loan for college education or higher education of their children. They also need support for availing educational loans from commercial banks when their children get admitted into professional courses.

Knowledge and skills are essential for all (women) to successfully respond to the wide opportunities in cities. The number of youth unemployed and under employed is increasing in the cities. On the other hand, industries and prospering service sectors are in need of trained/skilled manpower.

Livelihood Initiatives with Functional Education (LIFE)

Women have entrepreneurship potential, but they need training for acquiring new skills as well as upgrading their skills. The Livelihood Initiatives with Functional Education (LIFE) provides skill building training to improve their employability in skilled livelihoods.

The LIFE centres provide courses on computer application, tailoring, jewellery making, cell phone mechanism, beautician, zardosi, two wheeler and four wheeler mechanics, small millets food preparation, catering services, house-keeping, equipment management, etc. New skill-set training was included as per the demand.

Community Resource Centre

Four federations offer life skill training to the urban poor at accessible points close to their neighbourhood through Community Resource Centres. The community resource centre consists of computer centre and tailoring unit along with e-services accessible to the community through internet, to apply for certificates in government portals.

Study centres managed by the federations offer education for the poor slum kids at their doorstep. Along with their regular academic curriculum, these study centres focus on moral education and co-curriculum activities to exhibit and nurture their talents.