VIJAYAWADA: That corporates discharge what is called their Corporate Social Responsibily (CSR) is a known fact. But not many may know that the KBN College in the city here is also doing just that in its own way -- mainly with the aim of empowering women.
The Forum for Women’s Empowerment Cell (FWEC) of the college conducts a 40-day ‘She Summer Camp’ in April/May every year, where poor and destitute women are imparted free training -- barring the `50 charged for registration -- in various vocations and courses such as beautician’s job, soft toy-making, tailoring and spoken English.
This later helps the hundreds of women who attend the camp earn their livelihood. P Sudha Rani, a resident of One Town, is one of the beneficiaries of the camp. Hailing from a poor family and a mother of two, she is now earning `200 a day as a tailor.
“Nearly 1,000 women and girls, including housewives and 10th Class and Intermediate dropouts, most of them from the One Town area, have so far been trained at our camps.
While some of them set up their own shops, a few are working in others’ enterprises. These are all talented women/girls who couldn’t work due to family pressures/commitments. We trained these women/girls in various avocations and helped them become self-employed. This is our way of women’s empowerment”, convener of the FWEC P B Sandhyasri told Express here on Sunday.
“Born in a poor family, my parents were unable to provide me education and I am a school dropout. With the help of the training provided at the KBN College’s summer camp I have learnt the art of soft toy-making. As soft toys are much in demand nowadays, I have started a small soft toy-making unit with a small investment. This is helping me earn enough money every month to take care of my family,” said 18-year-old K Santhi from One Town area.