Bethania Kids offers training in tailoring, embroidery, basket making and other useful handicrafts to destitute women in 7 different locations. The women come together to learn a trade so they can help support their families. The programs also offer fellowship, encouragement, literacy training and the opportunity to experience the love of Christ.
The Tailoring and Embroidery Programs include the following elements:
- Provide an environment in which the women learn of the everlasting love of Jesus Christ
- Teach women marketable skills such as tailoring and embroidery.
- Help women improve in their reading and writing skills
- Provide a supportive environment where they can have fellowship with other women
Typically two sessions run per day, each with 10 women. Many graduates of the programs save to purchase their own sewing machine in order to work at home to earn income to help support their families. These programs have become a mainstay in the communities.
Many of the tailoring and embroidery programs are located near care centers, and the adult students sew uniform clothing for the children in the care centers and often assist the care center staff with cultural programs and festivals.
More advanced training is offered by the Annapoorani Apparel Design Centre, opened in 2020 in Kannivadi as the result of generous gifts from Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO of California-based EmbedUR, and Elizabeth and Kraig Olejniczak, long-time donors. After completing the basic training in tailoring and embroidery, students can go on to work in this more advanced program—designing and making apparel for clothing-producing companies that contract out to the design center. After the center’s overhead expenses are covered, the income generated goes to the women. The pay helps ensure there is food on the table and, as the women have specifically mentioned, money available for their children’s school materials.
Meet Fatima
When 38-year-old Fatima came to Mabel’s Women’s Empowerment Program, her family was in crisis. Her husband had suffered a spinal injury, which limited his ability to do heavy work and earn a sufficient income to take care of their two daughters and her mother-in-law.
Thanks to the training program, Fatima learned tailoring and now sews blouses for sarees, which are purchased by members of the community. In addition to providing a means to support her family, the program also strengthened Fatima’s self-confidence and relieved much of her emotional stress.
Fatima thanks God for all her blessings and is growing in her Christian faith. Now her family makes prayer a priority before every activity and decision. Fatima wishes to thank Bethania Kids donors and says “You are a blessing for many women like me.”
Make a difference in the lives of our children today!
There are countless ways to participate in this vibrant ministry and share God’s love with the children at Bethania Kids.
