Development of Vocational Skills
Barli Development Institute for Rural Women Indore
Empowerment of Rural and Tribal Women through training them in income generating skills.  
During the early years of it's operation, the Institute  focused primarily on developing income generating skills like
producing small mats, incense sticks, dry leaf cups and plates, candles, chalk sticks and hand loom weaving.  
From these small beginnings the Institute has developed to a more structured system of vocational training, and is now
accredited to
National Institute of Open Schooling  Vocational Courses.  
Below are some of the vocations the trainees learn at the Institute.
Cutting and Tailoring   
Fabric work like Block Printing and Batik
Hindi Typing and Word Processing
Embroidery and Fabric design  
Food Processing and Pickle Making  
Growing and Marketing Vegetables  
Making Herbal Shampoos and Various other
Household items
Solar Cooking
Waste management
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Cutting and Tailoring  
Sunset near Dhurampuri
Village Dhar District MP India
The Institute’s  Cutting and Tailoring curriculum has been developed over the period of more than  
23  years. It has emerged out of a  major challenge that there were hardly any such training manuals
published in  Hindi, and none aimed at the rural and tribal women who are mostly illiterate.
There are a vast array of books on cutting and tailoring available in the market but mostly these are  
either for professional courses for colleges etc.



Barli Institute  prepares its students for successful passing of the National Institute of  Open
Schooling( NIOS) Examination, therefore it has  made a systematic effort to align its curricula  
according to the   requirements of  NIOS. National Institute of Open Schooling, an autonomous
organisation of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India
Even the NIOS handbook does not give complete instruction in a manner easily understood to our
trainees.  At the Institute, curriculum material is developed and then each session is tested on the
trainees. The main indicator was  understanding the content and put it into practice.
In an interactive process of writing, field testing, consultation with experts in the field, and rewriting,
the manual has been developed and refined over the years.  
The manual is more comprehensive in approach to cutting and tailoring in that it also explains why
certain techniques should be used.
Goals of Cutting and Tailoring  Manual
  • This manual is focused on development of   human capacity to obtain the
    means of livelihood.
  • Research has shown that when women increase their income, they tend to
    spend a greater percentage of it to benefit the family than do men.
  • To empower rural and tribal women by giving them the skills to earn a
    livelihood which will increase the well-being of themselves, their families, and
    communities.
  • To foster an attitude of independence, initiative, and self-reliance that will
    overcome attitudes of dependency and helplessness.
  • To develop an understanding of the role of fine craftsmanship and business
    ethics in the success of any venture.
  • To enable rural and tribal women to increase their status as able generators of
    economic contributions to their families and communities.
Organization of the Manual

is, with an explanation as to why we need to learn this particular lesson.  The book begins with discussions of sewing terms, tools and materials used, and foundational
materials and supplies used in sewing.  Emphasis is also placed on the reason as to why it is important to produce work of the finest craftsmanship.  Trustworthiness is
materials and supplies used in sewing.  Emphasis is also placed on the reason as to why it is important to produce work of the finest craftsmanship.  Trustworthiness is
explained as essential quality to be acquired  for success in business.  
explained as essential quality to be acquired  for success in business.  

The practical training begins with drafting and making a simple child’s dress and progresses with increasing complexity from ladies garments to tailoring a gents shirt.  
They are encouraged to tailor for their own indigenous population.
Each stage of a garment is illustrated with the help of step-by-step photos or drawings, which make it easier for the newly literate student to visualize the process. Scaled
down versions of the garments are made by hand in a participatory learning method so that the student understands the method and sequence of construction.
At the end of each lesson, what was just taught is reviewed again and a short, self-test is given to help the student to review her knowledge.  
They utilise these skills and improve  their own life and their
tradition and culture, which helps in increasing their income. They
utilise these skills and improve  their own life and communities.
communities.

“Let us learn cutting and tailoring” book is distinguished because
of   following reasons:

  • Before they start using  this book, all the trainees  undergo
    literacy training for 3 months that builds their capacity to
    read,write and speak Hindi and learn numeracy, this book
    is a step forward in a very natural way.
  • The language is very simple and can be understood easily.
  • With 23 years of experience of the Institute, the book is
    planned so they can learn and finish their curriculum within
    the six month time frame.
  • Oral and written questions  are also included  in the book  
    which help them in learning and revising.  They can
    evaluate  themselves on how much they are able to retain
    and what else they have yet to learn.
  • As they learn step by step, they  get encouragement to
    pick up the new lessons. By going through this book they
    become stronger, and are encouraged to develop their skills
    and find a new direction.

This book builds their capacity from the level starting form
learning to be able to do the cutting and tailoring themselves and
raise themselves to start their own business.
Above: learning to become tailor.
Below: an ex trainee in her own tailoring shop. Traditionally
village tailors are men, now thanks to training at Barli many
villages in Western MP and other areas have their own lady
tailors.
Block Printing and Batik Work
Trainees Harvest Potatoes