Project
Women’s Production Program
Our implementing partner, Volunteers for Amelioration of Rural Areas (VARAS), started the women's apprenticeship program in 2019 under their women empowerment program in Ghana. The apprenticeship program aims to provide skill-based training to rural women in desperate abusive situations so they can be economically and socially empowered.
The skill undertraining is sewing and dressmaking, which includes sewing clothes for both men and women and other auxiliaries. But to broaden their skill set, other essential training, like soap making, is taught. Also, to better prepare them, they are taught basic English and Math, Business skills/entrepreneurial training, and computer lessons. These comprehensive skills are to position them to work in any environment without hindrance.
The training takes 12 months of the calendar year and is free of charge. After their training, they are given a free hand sewing machine, certificate, and other necessary tools to remove the hurdle of starting a business. The training is in its fourth year, and 24 women have successfully graduated and established themselves. In terms of impact, more than 3000 families now have livelihoods because of the training program.
The program is a dual system, consisting of an apprenticeship, which is the training component, and a production program, which serves as the employment phase. The production program, a social enterprise, aims to further engage and employ female graduates who, unfortunately, were unable to find employment and have returned to their pre-training circumstances.
The absence of running water at both project centers is hindering their training programs. The women are expected to acquire skills in batik and tie dye as part of their training—a vital skill that could significantly contribute to their financial independence and family support. However, the lack of a steady water supply prevents this skill from being taught. The absence of water at the training center has also imposed a financial strain on the program's operation, as potable water must be purchased for drinking and sanitation needs.
Consequently, we propose the construction of a borehole well at the production center, accompanied by the installation of a water storage tank.
H2O for Life is not a WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) project implementer. We have partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implementing WASH in Schools projects around the world. Our NGO partners match funds needed for each school project. We also have a generous donor that provides us with an interest-free loan that, along with matching funds, allows for many projects to be started or possibly even completed before total funds have been raised. In rare situations we reserve the right to reallocate funds to alternate project(s).
Questions? Ask us at 651-756-7577 or info@h2oforlifeschools.org.
