GrowthGene - A Chord & Microsoft Social Initiative

Through the adoption of the Yellammabanda slum, the project strives to transform the entire community through a multi-pronged approach - infusing the lives of children, mothers and women with a sustainable generator of growth and community awareness. The project intends to address and tackle the pressing issue of family poverty by providing skill training and livelihood opportunity to 450 women a

nd sensitizing the community on issues of child rights and women empowerment in the next three years (2015-18) in a phased manner. The main ambition of this program is to provide a community with a comprehensive and sustainable social and financial development plan that aims at decreasing levels of illiteracy and unemployment among children and women and promoting self -reliance and financial independence through its structured educational and employment support. The Growth Gene Project Team:

The Growth Gene Project team handles operations at the centre, works at the improving quality of production and strives to make the project self-sustainable. A team with varied experience and skills gives the project an edge over other social enterprises/ skill training centres.

1. Business Development Manager:

3. Operations Supervisor:

4. Tailoring Trainer (Men’s Apparel, formal wear, etc):

5. Tailoring Trainer (Women’s Apparel):

6. Tailoring Trainer (Design Basics) and Tailoring Training Coordinator:

7. Computer Applications Trainer:

8. Area Coordinator:

Main features:

The project plan is spread across 3 years, 2015 – 2018

150 children will be admitted into remedial schools every year.

150 women trained annually in employable skills of their choosing and will be empowered toward financially independence. 300 women will be trained in tailoring and 150 women in computers by 2018. A social enterprise that provides employment to these trained women will be set up to provide income opportunity to the trained women. The earnings from the enterprise will be reinvested in the centre and business development. A third skill, driving, for women is also a part of the project. The initiative mainly aims to alleviate poverty and rid the community of Child Labour through the empowerment of women, the mothers and access to free education to children. Some more trades in demand like Beautician and Hotel operations will be introduced next year

Orientation and counselling sessions will be conducted to induce a change towards the perspective of growth. These will include community awareness programs, gender sensitization workshops, etc.