A Nine-Day Silai School Capacity Building Programme was kick-started here at Gandoh (Doda) by District Administration Doda in partnership with ELFA International, supported by the USHA International ltd.On the completion of the 9 day training program, each participant will be provided with a foot-operated sewing machine and the accessories.The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Vishesh Mahajan, SDM Gandoh Ashraf Parvaiz; District Social Welfare Officer Tariq Qazi; Mehran Khan (CEO ELFA International), Senior Management of ELFA International and Shayista (State Manager) from USHA International Ltd.
The Programme intends to provide livelihood and income generating opportunities to 10 women from different parts of the Tehsil Gandoh, who can in turn be Master Trainers, teach and mentor their fellow villagers interested in the programme. The program has been conceived with a view of ushering avenues of dignified livelihood to the trainees and kicking in a chain reaction of sorts aimed at the poverty alleviation of the beneficiaries.Deputy Commissioner DODA Vishesh Mahajan said that the training will not only empower the marginal and underprivileged but will also act as a model for others to imitate. In times of employment challenges, he praised the role of ELFA International and USHA International ltd for their participation in organising the livelihood generation programme in the district.Speaking at the event, Mehran Khan (CEO ELFA International) reiterated ELFA's commitment to "Livelihood for all".
He highlighted the ELFA International's efforts already made in this direction and expressed his intent to replicate the program in other districts, enlarging both its scope and catchment. He said that right from its inception, ELFA International has been working on programs of this kind which aim at mitigating the issues of poverty and livelihood crisis. He said that District Doda has always been a district of importance and priority for ELFA.Shayista, State Manager -USHA explained that the program is a part of ELFA International's commitment to livelihood generation program and is an essential part of its Capacity Building and Leadership Programme.