Many of the women who come to the Women’s Empowerment Program (WEP) in Poombarai face the difficult challenge of extreme poverty, often coupled with abandonment, abuse and spousal alcoholism. Abused emotionally and physically, the women are traumatized, stressed and have little self-esteem.
The Program Elements
Bethania Kids’ Poombarai WEP embraces these women and provides them refuge and help. Through the loving care of the staff, they are given support, encouragement and hope for improved futures. By learning how sew, embroider and weave, the women become wage earners, which changes their status within their families. In the Indian culture, the wife moves in with the husband’s family and often becomes subservient to the husband and mother-in-law. With the prospect of earning some income and the confidence gained at Bethania Kids WEP Center, their family status is improved.
Poombarai village is a remote agrarian area outside of Kodaikanal. Most people work in the fields, and many of the people at Poombarai are day laborers picking up piece work when they can. The village has a strongly Hindu culture, and our center is next to a Hindu temple, in a valley surrounded with terraced gardens and agricultural fields. The village is very poor, and a high incidence of spousal abuse (husbands that advocate suicide for their wives) exists. The WEP has served as a refuge for many of these women who sought help. Learning to sew and produce marketable products has given new life and hope to these women as they seek to bring value to their lives. Located on the second floor of a small center accessed by very steep stairs (more like a ladder), this WEP provides a place for 20 women to learn skills to become productive wage earners. While learning a vocation at the center, their children often attend the day care center on the lower floor.
The Staff at BK Poombarai WEP
Meet Jeyachandra. G, the leader of the WEP in Poombarai. In the second floor room, you will find sewing machines working as the 15-20 women learn to stitch, embroider and weave. Some start with limited skills and over the two-year program increase their knowledge, eventually earning needed income for their families. For many visitors this center is their favorite. Jeyachandra’s vocational training program gives women needed skills and prepares them for a better life.
R Murugeswari was one of the women who participated in the WEP. She now works for Bethania Kids directing their special school. Murugeswari has become an integral part of the staff and now serves God’s children at the Poombarai Special school.
History of Bethania Kids Poombarai WEP
Bethania Kids Poombarai Women’s Empowerment Program started as an offshoot of the Mabel’s Care Center WEP in 2002. Over the years, the program has matured, and the Poombarai Care Centre now offers the WEP and a Special School for differently-abled children.
Over time, Bethania Kids became an accepted part of the village despite the area’s strong Hindu traditions. At Poombarai, the women in the WEP are in constant interaction with the special needs children who are learning in the same building. The life and learning of our special children and these women become well-integrated and the women become agents for the children and a critical link between the center and the surrounding community.
How Can You Support the Poombarai WEP?
- The Poombarai Bethania Kids Center needs a new building with more accessible rooms. The investment will be significant. A major gift will help to relocate to new and improved quarters.
- Make a gift for the purchase of additional equipment (sewing, tailoring and embroidering machines).
- Make a gift for the purchase of higher quality fabrics and threads.
- Make a gift for the purchase of sewing machines for women to use in their homes and build their own businesses.
- Churches or individuals can make gifts to cover the monthly or annual expenses of the WEP at Poombarai Care Centre, which is economically run.
- Monthly expenses for a WEP = $210; annual expenses = $2520
Hold the Hand of a Child in Need
There are countless ways to participate in this vibrant ministry and share God’s love with the children at Bethania Kids.
Our 100% Promise
We channel 100% of every penny donated into direct ministry for children.
For more information about this and other ministry topics, please contact Bethania Kids at director@bethaniakids.org or