CHENNAI — In a major initiative aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic independence for women, Rotary District 3234’s Empowered Women Committee recently conducted a two-day hands-on vocational training workshop at Kannagi Nagar in collaboration with the Muthal Thalaimurai Trust.

Led by Rtn. Ajitha Balan, District Chairman – Empowered Women, the initiative focused on training local women in the craft of making artificial floral arrangements, including traditional Malli (jasmine) and Pitchi buds and blossoms.

The project was facilitated through the support of Rtn. Sai Seshan, District Official from the Rotary Club of Chennai Mithra, with active contribution and funding from the Anns of the Rotary Club of Chennai Mithra.

Key Highlights of the Initiative:

Comprehensive Skill Training: Over the course of the two-day workshop, 30 women received step-by-step guidance. Under Rtn. Ajitha’s direct instruction, participants successfully mastered the craft, with each participant producing 5 to 10 buds and 4 fully bloomed jasmine flowers during the sessions.
Train-the-Trainer Model: To ensure long-term sustainability, Rtn. Ajitha trained key leadership figures from the outset, including Susheela and the Trust Secretary, creating a localized support network for continuous learning.

Micro-Entrepreneurship & Sourcing Guidance: Beyond craft techniques, participants were provided complete guidance on raw material procurement, fair pricing, micro-margin strategies, and client acquisition leveraging local networks and social media platforms like Instagram.

Community Impact: Alongside the floral craft training, usable cloth menstrual pads were distributed to all participants to promote menstrual hygiene awareness.

Empowering Home-Based Livelihoods

The workshop enabled participants to gain practical, market-ready skills that can be carried out from their homes, providing them with a dignified means to generate supplementary income for their families.

Extending heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary team, Selvi, a representative from Muthal Thalaimurai Trust, shared:

“The two-day training conducted by Rtn. Ajitha Balan was truly transformative. Her clear, patient, and engaging teaching style made complex skills easy to grasp. This program has given us invaluable knowledge, inspiration, and the confidence to build better futures for our families.”

Rotary District 3234 remains committed to creating impactful, grassroots initiatives that foster self-reliance and empower women across local communities.