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Business School for Rural Women
 

The Mann Deshi Business School for Rural Women (MDBS) is a new program that provides training in technical, financial and marketing skills to women with no formal education and to girls who have dropped out of high school, allowing them to start and improve their own small enterprises.

One of the main criticisms of Microfinance is that it only helps the “economically active” poor, while excluding the “poorest of the poor.” The Mann Deshi Business School for Rural Women will help make microfinance available to all women by providing not just business capital but also skills, knowledge and motivation. With the support of Mann Deshi Mahila Ltd. Bank, the business school will guarantee suitable loan options to its graduates for seed capital to start micro-enterprises.

Most courses are offered in a classroom setting located in Vaduj, which opened in December 2006, although some classes are also offered in Mhaswad and in smaller villages through a mobile classroom, a “Business School on Wheels.”

The following courses have been taught since the business schools inauguration:

Screen printing Financial Literacy Basic Sewing Jardosi Making bouquets English Language Instruction Increasing Milk Quality

Making cotton bags Making Leather Bags Making Blouse Mhandi Fast Food Making Career Guidance

Making Blankets Dressmaking Basic Computer Skill I Basic Computer Skill II Photo Lamination Goat Rearing

These courses are designed to provide the skills needed to start and run a successful enterprise in the local market. The levels of the courses range from basic to advanced, to meet the varied needs and skill levels of women. Courses last between two and eight weeks, and are offered on at least a two-year rotation, ensuring that the market will be able to absorb new graduates.