On 4 July, a state-level meeting was conducted at Don Bosco Vaduthala, Kochi, to orient the staff about the WE-LivE project in Kerala. BREADS’ Women Empowerment through Livelihood and Entrepreneurship (WELivE) programme has successfully reached its third phase, through which it aims to empower 3000 women from economically backward areas, by equipping them with income generation and entrepreneurial skills, fostering financial independence and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Ashna P. A., Managing Director of Futureace Hospital, Kochi, in her keynote address, offered valuable insights on mobilising potential women entrepreneurs, emphasising the role of project coordinators as resilient and visionary leaders in overcoming challenges. Dr. Ashna captured the attention of all the participants with her own journey over the decades, how she came out of the routine of an employee in a reputed institution to a successful entrepreneur, overcoming multiple hurdles including COVID-19. Dr. Ashna continues to inspire many women today through her motivational talks coming out of her deep convictions.
Fr. George PS., Executive Director of BREADS, conducted an interactive session about ‘How a WELivE staff can be an effective social worker’. Highlighting BREADS’ mission to uplift marginalised communities, he emphasised the importance of staff becoming agents of change, aligned with WELivE’s theory of change framework. Mr. Benny Augustine, Project Manager at BREADS, offered practical guidance on project implementation strategies, detailing effective approaches for engaging women across the five project locations in Kerala, ensuring grassroot level impact and long-term success.
The training programme was significant step in shaping a dedicated and well-prepared team for the transforming of women’s lives through WELivE.
