SHE MAY not know the architectural technicalities of a building nor may she be good at design layout plans. But ignoring her would not be possible, as she may construct your house in the future.
The first batch of 23 women from rural areas of Indore division have completed mason training at Barli Development Institute for Rural Women (Indore) last week and have left for their village to invade another male bastion with ease.
Trained for masonry under Total Sanitation Campaign of Nirmal Gram Yojana launched by the State Government, these women
would be constructing individual toilets in rural homes.
For them, this training was something out of blue, as they had come with a dream to master domestic skills like sewing or embroidery. However, they felt elated when told that they would be taught masonry, too. It was an added bonanza.
“One of my friends had come here (Barli Institute) for training. After completing her training she started a tailoring shop in the village. Inspired by this, I came here to learn skills, so that I can earn a better living. But masonry has added another feather to my cap. It will be like setting up a milestone,” 17-year-old Champa from Chakliya village of Jhabua district remarked.
Her colleague Beena who had to give up school, as her parents couldn’t afford fees, grinned, “After acquiring this skill, I can earn and also continue my studies.” Equally excited Rali, another participant from Dhar district, said that the programme has empowered her to be self-dependent. “Now we can earn and even educate our younger brothers and sisters,” she added.
{{/usCountry}}Her colleague Beena who had to give up school, as her parents couldn’t afford fees, grinned, “After acquiring this skill, I can earn and also continue my studies.” Equally excited Rali, another participant from Dhar district, said that the programme has empowered her to be self-dependent. “Now we can earn and even educate our younger brothers and sisters,” she added.
{{/usCountry}}Informing about the community volunteers training programme of which masonry training was a part, Barli Institute director Dr Janak Palta McGilligan said the girls showed willingness to learn masonry after they were shown a UNICEF documentary on rural sanitation and how they could contribute to keep their village clean.
“We train women in various skills apart from tailoring. Looking at their performance and level of confidence, government has promised us to select trained women for its Nirmal Gram Yojana and other projects,” she said.
She informed that the State Government would pay Rs 50 to a person for motivating others to make toilets, while Rs 100 a day would be given to the masons.
As an incentive, the government would give Rs 1,200 to each family who constructs the toilet itself. In all 465 villages of Indore division will be made Nirmal Grams by the end of this financial year.