For many participants, this is their first opportunity to earn an income of their own.
The Program
In partnership with the Associated Initiative for Mankind (AIM) Foundation , Dharma empowers women from underprivileged backgrounds in Kolkata, India, by funding the materials that enable vocational training in tailoring and embroidery.
Through the SuiDhaga initiative, women receive free, hands-on training in a supportive learning environment. Many participants lack the financial resources to access vocational education. SuiDhaga bridges this gap by providing free-of-charge training that equips them with practical skills that enable long-term financial independence.
After completing the training, women can earn an income by stitching from home or working in local tailoring units, selling the garments they create. Beyond the immediate economic benefits for themselves and their families, these skills foster dignity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. As women become financially independent, they emerge as role models within their families and communities — creating a generational impact that encourages females to enter the workforce and strive for education and practical training.
Why Tailoring
The initiative originally emerged from AIM Foundation's grassroots work. While running community programs, they observed that many women had basic stitching skills but no formal training, they lacked access to machines, markets, and confidence, and households wanted women to earn without leaving the neighborhood. As tailoring is culturally acceptable home-based work in these communities, AIM designed SuiDhaga as a livelihood pathway that is low-cost, scalable, and generates an immediate income.
SuiDhaga also taps into market demand. In peri-urban Kolkata areas like Kasba, most women prefer custom stitching for daily wear, blouses, salwar suits, or alterations, creating a high demand for tailoring services. Festival and wedding seasons additionally create consistent spikes in demand, and local boutiques often outsource basic stitching work.
What makes SuiDhaga successful is its structured training rather than informal learning, with participants receiving a certificate in the end. There is a market linkage, so that trainees get exposure to real orders, and the initiative can be a pathway to micro-enterprises, meaning that some trainees start their own small units. Lastly, the social support environment builds confidence and community. These aspects shift tailoring from a casual skill to a sustainable livelihood opportunity.
Proven Results from Kasba
AIM Foundation has been successfully running the SuiDhaga program in the Kasba area of Kolkata for two years, which has had powerful effects on participants' lives.
The women who have completed the program are now able to support themselves financially, typically earning between ₹3,000–₹7,000 per month, depending on the number of hours they can devote, whether they take home-based orders or work collectively, and festive or seasonal demand.
Many have gone on to complete the advanced and fashion design courses also offered at the center. Upon completing the advanced course, trainees can earn over ₹10,000 per month, which is a significant supplemental income for low-income households. And even after completing the program, they continue to come to the center for the community it offers, and because they are able to use the facilities to tailor clothes.
The Boral Expansion — Where Your Support Goes
In February 2026, AIM started a second program in Boral, an underprivileged area in southern Kolkata. Boral has a large low-income population with limited livelihood options for women.
Women often have interrupted education, face mobility and safety constraints, and prioritize childcare and household responsibilities. Many are homemakers wanting a flexible income, and there is no structured vocational training focused on women. As a result, they are financially dependent on spouses or informal work.
SuiDhaga addresses these barriers by enabling home-based earning, skill ownership, increased household decision-making power, and improved self-esteem and social participation. The tailoring program therefore has a crucial effect on women's lives, enabling them to lead a financially independent life and support their families.
Dharma supports the SuiDhaga program in Boral by providing essential materials, including fabric and accessories such as thread and buttons. The first course will train 20 women over five months — made possible entirely through donor support. After the first course, we aim to continuously fund the program, providing materials and enabling participants to complete the advanced and fashion design courses if they want to.
What Your Donation Makes Possible
All donations directly support training materials and resources for participating women, turning a donation into skills, income, and independence.
For €10, a woman will learn to sew a blouse. For €50, she will be able to make a dress. For €120, one participant completes the full course — learning to make 30 different types of clothing.
But even a small contribution can help us achieve our goal.
Every contribution, no matter how small, helps Dharma move one step closer to lasting change — together.
