AWWA has run programs that cater to women’s vocational development, including training for small-scale industries, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Supported by the AGA office with invitations for industrial training programs, AWWA has also obtained and distributed small-scale rice flour milling equipment and sewing machines to particularly deserving members.
Given the growing need and activities, AWWA rented a property close to Akurana town, establishing it as our Vocational Training Centre in 2013. This dedicated Training Centre in Akurana was officially opened on International Women’s Day by the Additional Divisional Secretary. However, the Vocational Training Centre has been temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
The center is equipped for conducting cookery classes, sewing, and hosting about 15 students, with prior batches of 10 students each completing sewing and cookery courses. Qualified instructors, both internal and external to AWWA, were engaged in teaching these courses.
Plans are now underway to conduct classes in sewing, cookery, knitting, and language (Sinhala and English) as soon as adequate funds are raised to subsidize students. Another area of interest is reviving traditional techniques known to older women, such as basket-weaving, mat-weaving, traditional foods, and other traditional handwork.