Project 4

St. Michael’s Church Compound, Jangpura, New Delhi

Project 4 marks an important expansion of Weaving Essentials from uniform distribution to structured skill-based empowerment.

This initiative is being conducted at St. Michael’s Church Compound in Jangpura, where 20 girls are currently learning foundational sewing skills. The sessions are held for 4 hours per week and are designed to provide consistent, hands-on exposure to textile work.

The girls began with simple and practical products such as napkins, placemats, and cloth bags. These items were intentionally chosen to help them understand basic stitching techniques, measurements, finishing methods, and quality control standards.

To make this program sustainable, we launched a fundraising campaign and successfully raised ₹30,000. These funds were utilized to purchase second-hand sewing machines and essential starter materials required to initiate the training sessions. By opting for well-maintained pre-owned machines, we were able to maximize impact while remaining financially efficient.

The long-term goal of this project is to help the girls build confidence, develop employable skills, and understand the value of productive work. Once a collection of products is ready, we aim to sell these items to generate funds that can sustain and expand the program further. This also introduces the participants to basic financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

Project 4 represents a shift toward creating a self-sustaining model that combines skill development, environmental responsibility, and financial awareness within the textile ecosystem.

Lessons Learnt

This project provided us with practical exposure to managing and executing a grassroots social initiative:

• Human Resources: Identifying the right instructor and coordinating effectively with school authorities.
• Scheduling & Operations: Structuring 4-hour weekly sessions within the hostel schedule while ensuring consistency.
• Sourcing Materials: PProcuring fabrics, threads, and sewing supplies in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
• Building Networks: Connecting with factories and suppliers for surplus materials and operational support.
• Sales & Marketing: Understanding how to position handmade products and plan future fundraising through product sales.
• Budgeting & Fundraising: Planning financial requirements, launching a fundraising campaign, allocating ₹30,000 responsibly, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Courtesy

We would like to thank:
St. Michael’s Church Compound, Jangpura
Neikhrolou V Mero

for their continued support in making Project 4 possible.