Why & How Project Thiramai ?
Late in 2015, Chennai has experienced its one of the most devastating natural disasters - the Chennai floods. Many ended up losing their family members and most lost economically. In the midst, many companies and corporate sectors came forward to help the people who were in need.
Project Thiramai powered by SMILE and PepsiCo Foundation lifted its arms up to help the people stuck by this disaster in reconstructing their families. so in a unique way, this organisation picked up 235 rural women from 12 villages of Kancheepuram district and given vocational training on stitching techniques.
PepsiCo Foundation launched a unique community development and rehabilitation programme implemented by Smile Foundation. The initiative has been running three programmes across these villages - Smile On Wheels mobile health vans, a School Health Programme and Project Thiramai for Women Empowerment.
Whats Project Thiramai ??
ProjectThiramai is an outstanding initiative for empowering underprivileged women by providing vocational training in tailoring techniques.
As part of Project Thiramai, four vocational training centers have been set up for three-month programme and the curriculum is said to be designed by professionals.
As a part of this training programme, students learnt to stitch different garments for children and ladies, This programme includes repair and management of the sewing machine so that they can independently fix on any issue, Added holistic development like Yoga and meditation classes, awareness on nutrition, education on obesity and eradication of poverty are what make this programme unique for the people involved.
As part of its community development initiatives, PepsiCo Foundation in association with Smile Foundation on 10th May 2017 held a convocation ceremony to felicitate 235 women students graduating from its vocational training program called Project Thiramai.
The convocation ceremony was presided by
Thiru MC Sampath, Hon’ble Minister for Industries;
Thiru P Thangamani, Hon’ble Minister for Electricity, Excise & Prohibition, Government of Tamil Nadu
Late in 2015, Chennai has experienced its one of the most devastating natural disasters - the Chennai floods. Many ended up losing their family members and most lost economically. In the midst, many companies and corporate sectors came forward to help the people who were in need.
Project Thiramai powered by SMILE and PepsiCo Foundation lifted its arms up to help the people stuck by this disaster in reconstructing their families. so in a unique way, this organisation picked up 235 rural women from 12 villages of Kancheepuram district and given vocational training on stitching techniques.
PepsiCo Foundation launched a unique community development and rehabilitation programme implemented by Smile Foundation. The initiative has been running three programmes across these villages - Smile On Wheels mobile health vans, a School Health Programme and Project Thiramai for Women Empowerment.
Whats Project Thiramai ??
ProjectThiramai is an outstanding initiative for empowering underprivileged women by providing vocational training in tailoring techniques.
As part of Project Thiramai, four vocational training centers have been set up for three-month programme and the curriculum is said to be designed by professionals.
As a part of this training programme, students learnt to stitch different garments for children and ladies, This programme includes repair and management of the sewing machine so that they can independently fix on any issue, Added holistic development like Yoga and meditation classes, awareness on nutrition, education on obesity and eradication of poverty are what make this programme unique for the people involved.
As part of its community development initiatives, PepsiCo Foundation in association with Smile Foundation on 10th May 2017 held a convocation ceremony to felicitate 235 women students graduating from its vocational training program called Project Thiramai.
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| 235 candidates who got trained in Project Thiramai initiative |
The convocation ceremony was presided by
Thiru MC Sampath, Hon’ble Minister for Industries;
Thiru P Thangamani, Hon’ble Minister for Electricity, Excise & Prohibition, Government of Tamil Nadu
Mr Sanjeev Dham - COO, SMILE Foundation
Ms Poonam Kaul - Vice President-CSR, PepsicoIndia
Ms Poonam Kaul - Vice President-CSR, Pepsico
Women beneficiaries from the first two batches of the course were felicitated with certificates and a free sewing machine.
Mr Sanjeev Dham, applauded all women who were trained out as a part of this programme, also said "We salute their spirit and congratulate our first batch of women graduates and wish them all the very best for their future". He also thanked Pepsico foundation for being so supportive about this initiative.
Ms. Poonam Kaul, appreciated womens for taking up step forward to empower others, said that “We are proud of the brave women from Kancheepuram district who have chosen to be economically empowered. A key focus of PepsiCo Foundation’s community development and rehabilitation initiative with Smile Foundation was on livelihood enhancement for underprivileged families in villages around our manufacturing plant in Mamandur. There are several garment manufacturing units around this belt, but there was a dearth of skilled tailoring workforce in these villages. Project Thiramai opening up opportunities for them to take up employment at these factories or to work from their home as entrepreneurs, if they so choose.”
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| As a part of convocation cermony, trained woman's were awarded certificates and free sewing machines. |
A few about Pepsico foundation,
PepsiCo
India has actively showcased its contribution towards the growth of Tamil Nadu since
1989, Creating employment for more than 15,000 people through manufacturing,
sales and distribution initiatives. The company currently
works with more than 400 farmers across the State for better cultivation
practices and sourcing.
Its Direct Seeding initiative for rice has helped farmers
reduce the water consumption by 30%, and helped save 1.5 billion liters of
water in Tamil Nadu alone in 2015.
During Chennai floods, PepsiCo India mobilized its sales and plant team to deliver relief to people. Over 1.4million liters of Aquafina water and 38,000kg of Quaker oats were distributed during the time.
