We extend to you a hearty WELCOME. We appreciate your interest in Shoshana and our work. Our goal is to help people in need in India's Andhrah Pradesh region. We want to give them a chance to improve their lives by offering them training and basic medical care.
During a trip to India in autumn, 1998, Martha B. Foerch saw firsthand the plight of women and girls in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Her experience led to the founding of the charitable association Shoshana. In rural areas of underdeveloped countries women tend to be considered second class citizens. Traditionally, girls of lower social levels get married much too early. Early marriage often means that they can’t attend school. Getting a vocational education is hard or even impossible for them. Upon marriage, the woman becomes part of the husband’s family. If she becomes a widow, however, the family doesn’t necessarily keep on caring for her. Especially if she has "just" a daughter, she might be dismissed. Another marriage would be too expensive for her parents.
Since 2000 we have grown our presence in India, where we help in different ways: Sewing Centers, Medical Centers and since 2015 a Computer Center. All of our centers are located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, at the southeast coast of India.
Every Sewing Center has its own instructor who teaches between 5 and 10 students. It takes about 9 to 12 months to complete a sewing apprenticeship with Shoshana. Some women participate in additional classes in fabric painting and embroidery. These classes can be after the end of the initial apprenticeship or simultaneously with a second instructor. After successfully completing the apprenticeship all women have the option to purchase a sewing machine by taking a Micro-Credit through Shoshana. This gives them the opportunity to start their own sewing business.
Our Medical Centers offer basic medical assistance and medication to the poorest local residents.
Usually our nurses and assistant nurses take care of patients 5 days a week, however it is not uncommon for them to work evenings and weekends. They provide firstaid with injuries and are a point of contact for anybody who needs help. We also have been providing blood-sugar testing for some time now. This is an important test for many diabetic patients.
Our first Computer Center in Guntur has 8 students. Two former students from Hyderabad (Opal Multimedia) and Chennai (Penta Multimedia) University volunteer to teach web design theory and application and animation 3 hours daily.These classes will provide an education in computer science to young men and women who cannot afford to take computer classes at public schools. In order to find a job with a decent pay is very beneficial to have computer experience.
You can find more detailed information on Shoshana, our people and our projects www.shoshana.org .
