Vocational Training

Dr. Joseph Yelchuri, the Director of Christ Gospel India, established an innovative vocational training program in Kakinada, 25 years ago, which has been in continual operation to this day. The program provides a simple but effective means of escape from the bonds of human trafficking and prostitution and the shame of pregnancy outside of marriage. In some cases women may be young widows, or simply destitute, in need of a means of making a living.

Candidates are interviwed to determine their desire for a new life in location where they are not known. This solution requires nine months of hard work and training, but at the conclusion each graduate will gain a new profession and even her own small business. The candidates and children if they have them, are provided room and board in a safe location for a nine month period with intensive training to become a professional seamstress. This training starts with cutting paper patterns, then various types of sewing techniques, followed by assembly and finishing of all types of clothing in demand in rural India.

Why is the seamstress profession in such high demand? First, few people in rural areas can afford to buy clothing from a store rack. They buy the materials and then go to a seamstress and pay a fee to have clothing made. There is a demand for good seamstresses in every small village, as well as, in the clothing industry in India.

Since Christ Gospel India is an accredited humanitarian relief society, we issue graduation certificates that qualify ladies for positions in clothing factories. But, if she has a goal of starting her own sewing business, at the conclusion of training during graduation ceremony she will be given a new sewing machine. These machines look like antiques but are new, not electric powered but powered by foot peddle. This is ideal as most rural villages have little electricity. A graduates simply moves to a new village where she is not known, sits up shop and starts her own new business and new life producing clothing for the clientele in the surrounding area without the shameful looks and words.

Students from Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist or other religious traditions are welcomed into this program without any pressure to accept Christianity or even to attend church services during their training. But, they feel the love of Christ from their instructors and leaders and if they chose to learn more about our Lord Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation, the Gospel Message is close at hand.

To date over 1,000 women have graduated and most have received their own foot pedal sewing machines. Your kind support will help more ladies transition from a sad life of poverty and bondage, to a life of freedom and respect.

Various donation suggestions:

• Sponsorship for room and board, nine months training and a sewing machine US $800.
• Gift of a new sewing machine US $200.
• Donations of any size are of course welcome.