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From Cutting Stone to Fabric.
Sumitha—A Life Transformed

Economic Development is an important part of the work IDEAS is doing in South Asia with its local partners.  Through the work of 67 Education Centers for underprivileged children around the nation, programs for bettering local communities include Self-Help/micro-finance groups, sewing classes, computer literacy courses, and drivers' training schools.  Graduates from these vocational training opportunities are being hired by major retail chains to do data entry, showroom sales, and fashion design and production.

Sumitha, age 19, is one young 'untouchable' woman whose life has beentransformed through this training.  She is from a 'stone cutter' family of five. Although she had studied through Grade Ten, she could not afford to continue her education. Unable to find a job, Sumitha returned to her family's traditional profession of stone cutting, believing there was no hope for her to find a better job. However, a staff member at one of the IDEAS partner-organzation Education Centers told her about the sewing classes they offered. Sumitha enrolled and was overjoyed when she finished her training and was given her certificate. At the graduation ceremony, she said, "Now I do not need to remain in my family's occupation, but can look for a better job."

Many underprivileged women in South Asia are learning that they can find higher wage employment when they have access to educational opportunities.  In fact, many women from Sumitha’s community were inspired to join the sewing classes after hearing her story. IDEAS, along with our partner organizations, wants to equip and empower women to break through the cycle of poverty and discrimination.