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Volume 25 No. 1 | Autumn 2015
The tailoring machines were donated by a German
benefactor, but more funds are needed to sustain the
project and for new, similar skills projects.
“I see a bright future for these women who are not
educated, as they can learn stitching clothes, and they
can eventually become good tailors, which will help them
economically,” Fr Nicholas says.
“These women are not just Catholics; they are from
different religions and this also helps with promoting
dialogue and bringing people together.
“If we have more funds, we could have more tailoring
machines and many more women and girls could make
their lives bright. We could help these poor women,
so that they can have their livelihood and can come
together in harmony and peace. This is an excellent way
of empowering women.”
AUS Provincial, Fr Henry Adler SVD, recently visited
Khurda, and says the sewing project is a fabulous
initiative.
“I was very impressed,” he says. “It was great to see these
women so happy and engaged in learning the skills of
sewing, which, in turn, will empower them to earn some
money towards their livelihood.
“It is a wonderful community at Khurda, and I was very
glad to be able to visit the Mahatma Ghandi School,
which our Province, through our generous partners in
mission, has been able to support in recent years.
“What we see in Khurda is a true example of the SVD
commitment to walking with the poor and marginalised,
and, through education and skills training, helping people
to gain employment and live their lives to the full.”