Verma D'mello is a very well known international fashion designer based in Goa. Goa Sudharop has teamed up with this remarkable and generous individual with an aim to empower women in rural Goa. On December 29th a fashion exhibition was held at Nanutel Hotel, Margao. The event was put on by Verma and her team to raise money for GoaSudharop's 2017 project called 'Aadhaar'. High-end fashion dresses/sarees designed by Verma were sold and proceeds from the sale of these dresses/sarees were donated toGoa Sudharop.
The 'Aadhaar' project willfocus on two important women's causes in Goa - rural sanitation and women'sempowerment. “We will build safe hygiene facilities for women in ruralparts of Goa and also empower Goan women with a trade skill to earn anincome”, wrote Goa Sudharop Board member Shilla Almeida who also produced a 2017 Goa Sudharop calendar in the USA to raise funds for the project. The 'Aadhaar' project is based on the fact that in rural Goathere is an acute need related to women's sanitation/hygiene due to a lackof closed and safe toilets for women who are exposed to unsafe situations.The organisation wants to build a few safe sanitation and hygiene facilitiesfor rural Goan women. In addition, many rural Goan women want to learn a tradeto provide income for the family. At the exhibition 20 sewing machines were handed over towomen who will undergo training in sewing and otheraspects involved in garment production. This is being done so that through suchempowerment women can be financially independent and secure. Other current Goa Sudharop initiatives:- Working with autistic children in Goa and funding some oftheir learning needs.- On January 4 andJanuary 5, 2017, we will hold workshops for girls ages 11-15 toencourage them to consider studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,Math) in college. These workshops are being held in partnership with Greenlightfor Girls (Belgium) and the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration(Goa). To donate to this Goa Sudharop project (tax deductible for USA residents), please click on DONATE NOW at http://www.goasudharop.net/ Thank you Goa Sudharophttp://www.goasudharop.net/
