Introduction: In the slums of Jashore, Bangladesh, countless women face extreme poverty, social exclusion, and limited opportunities to improve their lives. Adolescent girls and widows in particular are trapped in cycles of economic dependency and societal marginalization. Animation Liberate for Organize (ALO), a grassroots NGO with a history of impactful programs since 1994, is taking a bold step to break this cycle by empowering women through vocational training in sewing and tailoring.
With your support, we aim to raise $25,000 to implement this transformative project to equip 120 slum-dwelling adolescent girls and widows with sustainable skills over a year-long program. This initiative will foster financial independence and instill confidence and resilience, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their families and communities.
The Problem: Challenges Faced by Women in Jashore
1. Economic Vulnerability:
○ The average daily wage for a laborer in Bangladesh is $3.30, insufficient to meet basic needs.
○ Most women in slums have no marketable skills, leaving them dependent on low-paying, exploitative jobs.
2. Living Conditions:
○ Women live in overcrowded slums with inadequate access to sanitation, clean water, and healthcare.
○ Joint families of 8-9 members share cramped quarters under makeshift roofs.
3. Limited Opportunities for Women:
○ Early marriage, lack of education, and societal norms restrict women’s autonomy.
○ Unemployment rates for women in Bangladesh remain high, with many dependent on male family members for survival.
4. Gender-Based Violence:
○ Women in slums are at heightened risk of domestic abuse, harassment, and exploitation.
Our Solution: Empowerment Through Skill Development
The proposed sewing project will:
● Train 120 women (30 per batch across four groups) in sewing, tailoring, and embroidery, providing them with employable skills.
● Establish a training center equipped with sewing machines, overlock machines, and resources like fabrics, threads, and tools.
● Offer workshops on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and customer relations to help participants launch their own small businesses.
● Create opportunities for social inclusion and support networks within the community.
How This Project Will Change Lives
1. Economic Independence:
○ Women will be able to earn $50–$100 per month by selling handmade garments and embroidery.
○ Many participants will start their tailoring businesses, further contributing to local economic growth.
2. Empowerment and Confidence:
○ Training will instill a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem, enabling women to assert themselves in family and community decisions.
3. Community Development:
○ The program fosters social cohesion by bringing women together to share experiences and collaborate, reducing isolation and stigma.
4. Sustainability:
○ Participants will pass on their skills to others, ensuring the long-term impact of the program.
Why Support This Project?
Bangladesh has made strides in women’s empowerment, but the most marginalized groups—like the women of Jashore’s slums—are still left behind. By supporting this project, you are investing in a model of sustainable development that:
● Tackles poverty at its root by giving women the tools to build their futures.
● Contributes to broader gender equality and social equity in one of Bangladesh’s most underserved regions.
Budget Breakdown
Your donation will directly contribute to the following:
● Sewing Machines (120 units): $18,000
● Embroidery Machine: $2,000
● Training Materials (fabrics, threads, tools): $2,400
● Rent for Training Center (12 months): $1,200
● Trainer’s Fees: $2,400
● Transportation and Administrative Costs: $5,000
Total Project Requirement: $31,000
Call to Action: Be Part of the Change
This campaign is not just about sewing machines or vocational training—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and self-reliance to women who have been forgotten by society. Your support will create lasting change, not only for the 120 participants but also for their families and communities.
Join us in empowering these women to stitch brighter futures for themselves and their loved ones.
Donate now and become a part of this life-changing initiative.
Together, we can transform lives—one stitch at a time.