These classes, hosted in village community halls or repurposed classrooms, offer more than just technical training. They are designed to provide women—many of whom have never had access to formal education or paid work—with practical skills they can immediately use to support themselves and their families.
Participants are taught the basics of sewing: cutting patterns, operating machines, hand-stitching, hemming, and producing simple garments like salwar kameez, blouses, or children’s clothing. Over the course of a few months, many women progress from complete beginners to skilled tailors capable of taking orders from neighbors or starting home-based micro-businesses.
The atmosphere in these sessions is focused but supportive. Women exchange advice, correct each other’s work, and talk openly about everyday challenges—from managing households to accessing healthcare. This social element is intentional: Akshaya views these sessions not only as skill-building platforms but also as safe, women-led spaces that foster trust and solidarity.
Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certificate and are encouraged to either seek clients independently or form small tailoring collectives with others in their group. In some cases, Akshaya facilitates links to microcredit schemes or helps former trainees purchase sewing machines through subsidy programs.
The long-term goal is not just to create income opportunities, but to build agency. Many graduates report improved confidence, increased respect within their families, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to household finances.
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