AIDA concluded its nine-day Usha Silai School training programme for rural women in Lozaphuhu, Phek.
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DIMAPUR — The ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA) successfully concluded the Usha Silai School training programme with a handing-over ceremony of sewing machines to rural women at St. Mary's School in Lozaphuhu village, Phek district.
The initiative is aimed at empowering rural women through vocational education and livelihood opportunities, according to an update.
The nine-day training programme, conducted from May 13 to the 21st, comprised ten hours of intensive training each day, amounting to a total of 90 training hours. A total of 15 women from 15 different villages participated in the programme, reflecting the community outreach of the initiative.
The curriculum covered practical components including mechanical operations, stitching, repairing, and embroidery, equipping trainees with comprehensive hands-on skills for self-employment and livelihood generation. Each trainee received her own sewing machine during the ceremony.
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The programme was attended by Superintendent of Police, Phek District, Dr. Pritpal Kaur Batra as special guest and Executive Director and Chief Functionary of AIDA Rev. Fr. Dr. Roy George and HR Manager and Director of Training and Programmes at AIDA Dr. Anna Lungbila Bibiana as guests of honour.
St. Mary’s Church, Lozaphuhu Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Sivi George, youth representatives, teachers, trainees, and community members were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Pritpal expressed gratitude to AIDA, recalling her active collaboration with AIDA’s Child Friendly Cities Initiatives at Dimapur and Chümoukedima.
She encouraged trainees to view tailoring not merely as a means of earning but as a tool for empowering lives and transforming communities. She urged them to be disciplined and sincere and to keep learning.
On the business front, she advised trainees to give their tailoring units a brand name, create a presence on social media platforms, take photographs of their work, understand customer preferences, and stay updated with modern designs. She also encouraged forming self-help groups, opening savings accounts, starting recurring deposits, and making use of government livelihood schemes.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Roy George congratulated the trainees on successfully completing their training programme. He highlighted the importance and relevance of the skills they had acquired and encouraged them to utilise their training to improve their economic conditions by developing sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He pointed out that the skills gained would not only lead to economic empowerment but also contribute towards the well-being of their families and society. He placed special emphasis on regular practice, reminding them to teach at least two others every week to multiply the impact.