Usha International Ltd, one of India’s leading household consumer durables company started Usha Silai School Programme in West Bengal in association with SPAR, towards improving the quality of the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities. This is a unique community initiative, where Usha International helps women from remote rural areas earn a better livelihood, by providing them with the necessary skill sets required in sewing, stitching and machine repair. SPAR is helping 5 partner NGOs in implementation process in Murshidabad, North 24 Pargana, Uttar Dinajpur and Malda district of WB. Periodic capacity building programmes and monitoring the activities are facilitated by SPAR in 50 Silai centres across 4 districts. The program helps in empowering 200 women by equipping them to generate incomes by creating opportunities for self-employment, develop their self-confidence, leadership skills and helping them earn appreciation and respect in their close knit social sphere. These women would be trained on advanced sewing techniques to become ‘Master Trainers’. These trainers will thereafter not only provide sewing services in their own villages but will also train other women as an income generating activity.