:~: keshava seva samithi :~:

	• Mathru Shakthi:
	Target: Women.
	Every week, women from slums are brought together and social awareness programmes are conducted.
	• Swavalambana:
	Target: Women from the weaker section of the society seeking employment opportunities.
	1. SHGs: Formation of Self Help Groups (SHG) of women for economic and self reliance has been very successful in the slums. These SHGs have been registered with nationalized banks who have been giving a matching grant for the savings made by the women. One volunteer co-ordinates this activity and maintains the book keeping.
	2. Vocational training: Vocational training is provided to women based on the needs assessment carried out from time to time in the slums. Computer classes, screen printing, tailoring, beautician courses, agarbathi making, candle making etc., are conducted.
	3. Income Generation Activity (IGA) is an offshoot of the SHG activity. These women earn the revenue for contributing to the SHG saving through various IGAs. Following are the programmes undertaken by the women.
	• Making “Paper Bags”: News papers are collected from residential apartments and layouts near the slums and these newspapers are converted to bags which can be used as alternative to plastic bags. These bags are sold to super markets, groceries, NGOs and corporate for their seminars, workshops etc.,
	• Cleaning and packing of grocery items: With the advent of super market culture in cities, demand for cleaned, packed and labeled items like grams, pulses, vegetables and eatables are in demand. These women are trained to undertake this activity on contract basis for the super markets.
	• Job placements: Destitute and orphaned girls who are above the age of 16 yrs are given vocational training and appropriate placements given. Many of them are offered jobs as supervisors, volunteers in the KSS programmes itself.

	Measurable indicator of achievement
	• Tailoring classes are being conducted regularly which consist of a 6 month course. 2 classes are currently in progress with 150 women benefiting from these courses.
	• 15 women who have benefited from the tailoring classes have been provided with tailoring machines.
	• There are 20 self help groups catering to almost 400 women in various slums.
	• Push carts and vegetable carts have been given to 12 women.

	• Education
	• Health
	• Women Empowerment
	• Youth