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VOCATIONAL SUB centers |
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Because of Veerayatan’s work we have forgotten that there was an
earthquake.
It
doesn’t even seem like it happened here.
-
Kalpana Mehta, Sewing Instructor |
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For many people in Kutch, the earthquake
destroyed or radically altered their traditional means of
livelihood and left them without a source of sustainable
income. Many families had lost the income generating members
of their household, or their trades and businesses were
disturbed or destroyed.
In order to address this crisis, Veerayatan created 17
vocational sub centers in Kutch, including a major site in
the city of Bhuj, in order to help people develop the skills
necessary to start a new career and generate income
immediately. In one year alone, Veerayatan trained over 5000
students in all of its various vocational courses. This
year, Veerayatan is planning to accommodate over 7800
students—all throughout Kutch. At its main center in Bhuj,
Veerayatan will train 3000 students; 4800 students are
expected to enroll in vocational courses offered by the 17
sub centers. All courses are available entirely free of
charge |
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Students in Veerayatan’s
Vocational Sewing Course |
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There are a variety of courses offered that cater to the
different needs, age groups and skills of the community
members. For example, capitalizing on the traditional
needlework talents of the Kutchi women, Veerayatan began
two sewing workshops, one specializing in ladies’
clothing, and one in bags and purses, as well as an
embroidery workshop that trains women in garchora and jari
(wire and bead) work. |
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In addition, computer courses are
offered from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. These courses are among the
most popular offered by Veerayatan. They provide necessary
modern skills to thousands of students, many of whom had never
before seen a computer. Veerayatan also offers specific hands on
training in mechanical skills such as motor winding, cooling
systems repair and electrical fitting, some classes of which had
never before been offered in Kutch.
As this project has proven to be vital for the community’s
self-sufficiency, families are requesting that Veerayatan
continue these activities on a permanent basis for the
students. Therefore, Veerayatan plans to continue all
Vocational Training programs and is seeking funding for the
operating expenses of the present year. |
Statistics as of December,
2002:
Total number of trained Veerayatan Vocational students:
8000+
Number of Veerayatan Vocational Students in Kutch: 2148
Number of Veerayatan Vocational Students in Bhuj: 540
Number of Vocational Subjects taught in Veerayatan Bhuj: 6
Number of Computer Training Students Presently in Bhuj: 271
Number of Sewing Students Presently in Bhuj: 70
Number of English Speaking Students Presently in Bhuj: 43
Number of Screen Printing Students Presently in Bhuj:122
Number of Other Vocational Students in Bhuj:103 |
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Students in Veerayatan’s Computer Training
Course |
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To find out how you can
contribute to Veerayatan Vidyapeeth Jakhania and/or
sponsor construction and other projects, please visit our
General Donations page.
For more information or to find out how you can help
Veerayatan’s efforts in Kutch, please contact us at
VEERAYATAN VIDYAPEETH
Bhuj-Mandvi Road
Jakhania, Mandvi
District Kutch 370460
Gujarat, India
Tel: 02834 275483
shilapiji@hotmail.com |
Students in Veerayatan's Electrical Fitting Course |
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