Barli Development Institute
for Rural Women Indore, India

Agents for Social Change

Barli Institute provides poor young women of Indore, India, literacy training, practical knowledge of health, nutrition and sanitation, income-generation skills and an awareness of village-level environmental conservation. The rural areas of Madhya Pradesh are considered to be some of the poorest in all of India. Infant mortality and female illiteracy rates are some of the highest in the country. People lack basic life-saving healthcare information and services. Girls are not sent to school because of prejudiced attitudes. Lack of knowledge about environmental health and other problems aggravates local poverty and causes disease. Empowered by their training as agents for social change, graduates have had a measurable impact on the well-being of their families and home villages. The institute has trained more than 3,000 young women and girls since 1985. The main goals for 2005–2006 were to conduct two six-month community volunteer training programmes and one year-long program for “grassroots trainers”. There were 151 trainees trained this past year and 12 grassroots trainers representing 59 villages.

Solar Heaters Donated and Visit in 2006

In 2006, we worked with the Bellevue, Washington, Rotary Club which provided a grant of $1,800 for solar panels. Hot water now runs in the girls dormitory which houses 120 women. We also continued our general grant of $3,000 in support of Barli's overall training programs. Two youth visited Barli on behalf of the Foundation. Ali Javid and Kristina Gillis filmed and documented the program to assist with development of further support for this project. They came back full of stories of women who despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles came to Barli's residential programs in search of a better life for themselves and their families.

Life Skill Training

Agriculture and horticulture
Literacy
Personality development
Pre and Post-natal care
Mother and child care
Health and hygiene
Care for the environment
and use of solar energy

Income Generating Skills

Tailoring
Hindi typing and word processing
Weaving
Machine knitting
Cycling
Fabric work such as block printing and batik
Embroidery and fabric design
Food processing and pickle making
Growing and marketing vegetables
Making herbal shampoos and various other household items

Needs for 2007

• $6,000 for General Program Support

The grant that has supported Barli's costs for the past several years will conclude in 2007. In 2008, we expect a major increase in the level of Barli's financial needs.

How You Can Help

Please contact us or send your tax-deductible contributions to:

Mona Foundation
218 Main Street, Suite 404
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 743-4550
Email: monafoundation@monafoundation.org
Online: Contribute Online with your Credit Card Here

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