http://shewd.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://shewd.tigblog.org/post/41113 Helping the poorest residents
Involving the community in planning, implementation and maintenance of projects
Making economic participation available for women
Making safe healthcare available to the poor
Educating poor youths
Making available computer training for youths
Becoming a self-sufficient organization while working on social-welfare

Identified Problems of the Project Area
The people of Thaiba and other Village Development Committee (VDC) are among the poorest in Nepal. Most residents work at farming and handicrafts and have an average annual income of less than US $250. Malnutrition, inadequate housing, illiteracy, lack of educational and vocational training for young people, unemployment and poor healthcare are just some of the problems that residents face. To date, there has been little not-for-profit intervention in the area. The biggest burden of poverty falls on the women. The majority are illiterate and unskilled, spend their lives isolated, are often abused, and have little access to power and decision making in their families and community.
Women's Friendly Small Business Program (WFSBP)

SHEWD is attempting to empower women in Thaiba VDC through an income-generating project. SHEWD provides opportunities for the women to sell hand-knit sweaters and other products through their business, Hipknit on the Internet (www.hipknit.com). All profits from the sales go directly to the women. The women are also trained in small business skills and literacy. The project aims to empower, raise living standards, and help create a network for the women, breaking them free of social and economic isolation.
Some HipKnit products made by the Natural fibers products from natural fiber such as Hemp, Aloo, cotton, wool etc unique designs on items like bags, caps, sweaters, hats, jackets, shirts, shocks, shawls, waistcoat, lunch mat, coaster, knot bag, shoes, and other various gift items can be made.
 Project Objectives: Through the WFSBP, SHEWD hopes to
Identify the poorest women
Make available small loans, training, and information necessary for self-employment through handicrafts
Empower the female children through training at schools in health, rights, responsibilities, decision making and economic participation
Ensure a link between better living and increased income
Assist women in forming working guilds to support each other
Introduce programs in adult literacy, women’s health, and empowerment in the working guilds

Activities to be carried out under this project: The WFSBP is a bifurcated plan. The poorest women of Thaiba and other VDC will be given an opportunity to earn. Meanwhile, their daughters will receive empowerment education at government schools. THE MOTHERS WILL EARN; DAUGHTERS WILL LEARN. In this way, the next generation of women will be prepared for economic participation and the cycle of poverty will be broken.
Income generating program
Literacy program.

Anticipated results of the project
The most important result will be economic participation for women and increased income. In addition, we hope WFSBP will:

Empower the women;
Help women to learn about sound business methods;
Help raise standards of living of individuals and of families;
Help women to network between themselves and with outsiders;
Introduce the help of local technology and computer technology to women’s initiatives;
Strengthen the process of information sharing between funding agencies, welfare organizations, and individual businesswomen.
How can you help?
You can support our project by purchasing our products, or searching for a market in your own country to export the products. We also accept volunteers to support fundraising, idea sharing and teaching. For more www.hipknit.com
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