Our little school continues to grow, as more village children and parents realize the value of education, and also that school can be a very positive experience for the children. At Christmas the children enjoyed a party and treats - and photos were taken with a sign that the children had made to say thank you to donors those who have made donations to support the school, pay the teacher's salary, and provide study materials for the children.
Well over 100 women have completed the six month sewing training program and step by step lives are changing and improving. Meeting regularly at the program, the women share the learning experience and their self confidence and self esteem improve. Costs are kept down, as the more advanced students learn to help the teacher with new students - and begin to learn to teach themselves. Often, when these young women marry and move to another village - they are ready to become sewing teachers in their new home village.
Due to government restrictions, both the Open Hands Education School Program and Women's Vocational Sewing Program had to shut down in March 2020 - along with the rest of the world!
As a result of Covid-19 restrictions it became apparent that needy families and elderly in the community had very little to eat. Open Hands responded to this serious problem by starting a free program to distribute bags of dry food (such as rice, dhal, flour, salt etc.) To these individuals and families. During Covid-19 times this Dry Food Bag Program became a main offering of Open Hands Education in the Dadwan village and community - and in some cases has continued on beyond Covid-19 times.
