About Education & Training
MARIAMMA CHARITABLE TRUST has created Belaku Kendra , a “Center of Light” through which women facing hardship receive training in knitting and crotchet and earn an income creating products for sale. MCT also allocates its limited funds for youth education. In this rain shadow drought prone region, farming is extremely difficult and alternate livelihoods are critical. Belaku Kendra provides a safe space for community building and goes a long way in mitigating human-wildlife conflict for land use and food.
MCT’s training in skills includes important conversations on health, well-being, safety, and wildlife conservation. Women receive a stipend and all raw materials, ensuring that the burden of sourcing does not fall on them. MCT provides the option to work from home, emphasizing its mission in the upliftment of women wherever they are able to carry out the work. Through this support and collective livelihood, women have a stronger impact in the village and make positive changes due to their participation in wildlife conservation.
Belaku Kendra serves as a beacon of hope, as women take pride in their skills and the array of beautiful products they are able to create. From stylish bags to intricately designed table mat sets, cushion covers, and rugs, and with the freedom to choose the colors and patterns that reflect their identities, the women turned their creativity into economic opportunities and personal expression. They are well-positioned to serve as trainers and mentors for other women in their villages, fostering a culture of shared learning and resilience.
Women carry the light and hope forward, to play a crucial role in wildlife conservation. They are advocates for sustainable practices that protect the rich biodiversity of the Bandipur region. They are educated and empowered to engage in discussions about conservation and promote practices that safeguard the natural habitat.
MCT also sponsors the education of village youth who face financial barriers to pursuing higher education. Investing in youth education means MCT is investing in the future, scaling up its sustainability efforts in the villages surrounding the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. As women and youth thrive, they serve as inspiring role models, showing that with the right opportunities, change is indeed possible.
