We strive to provide better opportunities for the women.
Our impact in a glance
70% of the artisans in India have learned handcraft skills inside the Project, which allowed them to have a new source of income. The women who already had skills before joining us would charge at least 60% less than what they are paid now, for the same work.
Women impacted since 2016
120
80
Indians
Kenyans
40
Artisan's children in the school
100%
160
Indians
Kenyans
140
Women impacted in 2024
30
18
Indians
Kenyans
15
Have a monthly salary independent of sales
13
Have found a new job
80% ?
How do we do it
While our approach initially takes more time, it eventually enables women to become strong leaders who run programs independently. Over the years, this has created a sustainable cycle of positive impact, which provides them with a fair income.
Prioritising Needs
We prioritise the women we serve by focusing on their most urgent needs, not our assumptions. We listen carefully and collaborate with local organisations chosen by the women to address challenges beyond our expertise.
Holistic Approach
We don’t offer quick fixes for systemic issues. Financial stability, is key for women facing abuse. Through the program, they earn a fixed income, learn to save, and plan for a future free from poverty and violence.
Training
We provide training to help women build skills and confidence. This opens doors to stable job opportunities, both within our organisation and their communities.
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Volunteers
Our dedicated team of volunteers powers our work. Many have been with us for over three years, drawn by the chance to grow alongside the women they support.
We aim to create a positive and long-lasting impact by taking care of future generations.
1. How do the women come to the project?
Women in communities in Goa and Nairobi learn about Project Três through word of mouth, community networks, and local organizations. They are aware of our safe centers, where they can seek help during difficult times.
2. Sorting how the women are accepted
In both regions, when a new woman arrives at our centers, the local leader evaluates her situation and a discussion follows to determine if we can accommodate them. Priority is given to women facing extreme violence and vulnerability, such as hunger, severe hardship, or homelessness. For instance, a woman enduring domestic violence, unable to leave due to dependency on her husband and lack of family support, may temporarily stay at the center, along with her children.
They commence training in manual skills, particularly handicrafts, as speaking about their experiences can be daunting initially. Engaging in manual work within a supportive group of women who share similar stories boosts their confidence and encourages them to open up. This natural progression of conversation helps them feel less isolated and more comfortable sharing their own struggles. Later, they receive further training in textiles, accessories, and administrative tasks.
It's crucial to build trust with these women, as perpetrators often threaten isolation and disbelief. The sense of belonging to a group is essential to assure them that they are not alone, making it challenging to determine whether to admit a new woman. Trust forms the foundation for their healing journey.
3. Initial training and follow-up
The initial craft training takes place on-site, and further training is tailored to each woman's skills and opportunities, assessed by local women. This ranges from basic skills like handicrafts (a few weeks) to advanced skills with intricate details (months). Developing administrative and managerial abilities can take several years. There's a continuous exchange between project women and Project Três volunteers.
For administrative and managerial skills, Carla, the founder, conducted training in India for the first two years. Now, it's organized based on organizational needs, either online with knowledgeable volunteers or experts, sometimes combining both in an intensive two-week period with ongoing support. Experienced local women also share their knowledge with newcomers at the community center.
Training in management skills
India
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Quality control of products
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International shipping
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Financial control of the organisation
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Purchase and control of raw materials, stock management, management of the centre
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Social work skills
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Organizing on-site activities and preparing the centre to receive volunteers
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Development of patterns
Kenya
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Product quality control
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International shipping
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Social work skills
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Purchasing and control of raw materials
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Finance and management of the centre
Craft training
India
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Making accessories such as key rings and fashion,cutting and sewing
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Embroidery
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Accessories to finish the product, e.g. fringes, pom poms
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Care and storage of tools
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Making packaging from fabric, e.g. bags
Kenya
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Making accessories and bracelets
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Finishing the product
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Washing and cutting decorative items made of soapstone
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Packing soapstone for international shipment
Advanced craft skills
India
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Making more complex products and modelling products, e.g. teddy bears, bags, kimonos
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Designing new products
Kenya
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Painting and designing soapstone pieces
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Finishing these pieces (e.g. painting)
4. Development of the training
Training at Project Três is flexible, tailored to individual skills and center needs. We currently lack a structured plan on paper for training specifics. Our goal is to equip women with skills not only useful in the project but also for finding other jobs in their communities, creating opportunities for other women. We plan to develop a more systematic approach in the future, establishing clear expectations, rights, and obligations for both the project and the women involved. Our current focus is on sustaining existing efforts, including monthly support for women.
5. How women become leaders of the center
Leadership emerges naturally based on skills, language proficiency, and prior leadership experience. Selection for a monthly salary considers factors like existing leadership roles, education, and financial needs (especially for women as sole providers). In summary, it is a combination of what the project needs at a particular time and the skills that the women can bring. The local team also recommends future roles for others or newcomers.
And last but not least, the local team itself suggests the next roles to be taken over by the others/newcomers.
6. The center on a daily basis
Centers operate almost daily, with a flexible schedule. The women's team convenes bi-weekly for planning and updates. Subgroups meet every 2-3 days for training, personal discussions, task delegation, and mutual support. In India, monthly meetings with Carla and Amanda organize the month's activities and address personal issues. For the Kenyan Center, weekly meetings with founder Carla and Linda handle current requirements.
7. Measuring the end of the process/final steps
Determining when a woman should leave the project is not straightforward. Instead, we focus on fostering lasting positive change in their lives. Our main indicator of success is when women build or regain confidence, realize other options, and seek independence beyond project support. This transformation reflects their resilience compared to their initial extreme vulnerability when they joined us.
