Kollam, Kerala – August 21, 2024: The Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE), Amritapuri, in collaboration with the Vishwakarma Navothan Foundation, organized an Ideal Village workshop for tailoring students in Punalur, Kollam district. The session was facilitated by Trainer Remya and coordinated by T.S. Shalini, Zonal Coordinator.

The program engaged 22 women participants from the Vishwakarma community, providing them with a platform to reflect on their local challenges and imagine sustainable solutions for their villages.

The activity began with a screening of the Lead India inspirational video, sparking meaningful discussions among the participants. Following this, the women were divided into small groups and provided with chart paper and sketch pens to design their vision of an ideal village. Through drawings and group brainstorming, participants highlighted the facilities and opportunities they wished to see in their communities.

Objective:
The workshop aimed at helping women identify problems within their village and brainstorm practical solutions, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and community-driven vision building.

Challenges & Lessons Learned:
While the activity motivated participants to dream big, it also highlighted a key challenge—many of the facilities envisioned seemed difficult to realize in reality. Moreover, participants expressed uncertainty about how to approach or implement these ideas, underlining the need for continued capacity building and guidance.

This initiative marks a step forward in empowering women to engage in community development by encouraging critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.