COOPERATIVE OUTREACH OF INDIA
REQUEST: $2,500 to train 10 young women to sew washable sanitary pads and protective masks. They will sell these products to the local community and continue the process of making and selling.
- Population: 1,326,093,247
Languages: Hindi, Bengali, Marathi
Religions: Hindu, Muslim, Christian
Median Age: 28.7 years
Cooperative Outreach of India (COI) was established in 1993 to address the needs of children, youth and women who are the most disadvantaged members of the Indian population, made up of the largest portion of the population living in poverty. We are committed to meet the social and basic needs of this vulnerable section of society to help provide a healthy and dignified life.
COI has already undertaken a project called “Girl Talk” that enables vulnerable teen girls and children to be aware of difficult situations in life and how to walk through them in a positive way. Teens and children have responded very well to Girl Talk.
We will train 10 young women in sewing these products. Five women will be focused on the protective masks. These masks will be made in attractive patterns at a low cost to the consumer. The other 5 women will focus on the sanitary pads, sold at a low cost to continue producing pads. This will provide them a purpose and value in a society that is in desperate need of these products on a regular basis. Training these 10 women will impact 100 or more young women’s lives. The purchase of the pads in the community will help the project to become sustainable, so that we can continue with little to no outside funding after the initial support is given.
Young women from these areas usually work as domestic maids, babysitters, picking flowers, or in some cases, working in nearby plastic factories. They use unsanitary rags to clean themselves during their menstrual cycles and many times are not allowed to leave their homes during this time of the month. This situation holds these young women back in school and work. If each young girl could be provided with 2-3 pads, it will help them continue in their studies and work, while maintaining cleanliness and good health. The mask provides safe protection from pollutant particles as well as spray from individuals coughs, close talking and sneezing. The mask and pad can be washed and dried to be refreshed and safe to use again.
COI’s Mission
Caitlin Landge talks about COI’s mission.
Role Model
Rakhi is a young girl who leads one of our Girl Talk monthly meetings while also tutoring young children in her community.
Before she was introduced to Girl Talk, she was a local girl in the community finishing up her primary school studies. Now she is working on her graduate degree and volunteers in her local church. She is a confident girl who encourages the other young girls by her example and teachings.
Rakhi’s Girl Talk group has grown from 5+ to 30 each month, and these girls who are usually shy and sit in silence have now become young women with a voice. They answer questions during the meetings, participate in challenges and group work and perform dramas and dances with a positive concept.
Rakhi is not the only one who has been transformed Girl Talk – the young girls she influences have also begun a transformation that will spread throughout their communities.
HEALTH / HYGIENE
FAMILY / COMMUNITY CARE
FOOD
THEOLOGY
EDUCATION / TRAINING
INFORMATION / RESEARCH
EQUIPMENT / TOOLS
MATERIALS
RENOVATION / MAINTENANCE
ADMINISTRATION
TRAVEL
OTHER
* Highlighted budget icons apply to this grant
Budget
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| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electric sewing machines ($150 x 2) | $300 |
| Regular sewing machines ($100 x 4) | $400 |
| Materials for sanitary napkins | $400 |
| Materials for masks | $300 |
| Instructor for one (1) year ($70/month) | $840 |
| Other necessary accessories | $250 |
| Total Budget Requested: | $2,490 |
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