235 women in Mamandur, Tamil Nadu, successfully completed Smile Foundation’s Vocational Training programme, supported by the PepsiCo Foundation. The convocation ceremony was held in presence of eminent guests, local authorities and community representatives, where the women were awarded not just certificates, but also a sewing machine each – a small support for them to achieve their big dreams.
Each one of these women has faced her own struggles to reach here – from poverty and hunger to violence and abuse. Today, by gaining the life skills and confidence to lead an independent and empowered life, they have won half the battle. Some of these women have already taken up their first jobs with reputed companies.
While two batches of women have already passed out, a third batch is currently enrolled at the centre. In addition to the vocational training programme, the Pepsi Co Foundation is also supporting the school health programme and Smile on Wheels mobile hospital project in the village of Mamandur as a sustained effort to benefit the marginalized population.