Give 400 needy children & youths a future in India

When we opened our Keshwa Child Welfare Center in India in January 2020, we had big plans: We wanted to give girls and women the opportunity to complete a vocational training and thus shape their own lives more independently. But just a few months later, the pandemic hit – and all our plans had to be put on hold.

Despite all the setbacks, we did not give up. As life around the globe slowly returned to normal, we opened a school that continues to successfully educate children. However, the financial support promised by the Indian government for our training programs never materialized.

So, in the spring 2023, we took matters into our own hands: We launched our own Skill Program. Initially with courses in tailoring and fashion design – today, we train around 120 girls and women in these programs each year. Since the spring of 2025, we have also offered a second training program: Beautician. There, participants learn everything from henna tattoos and facial care to basic hairdressing techniques. Four dedicated instructors accompany them on this journey.

What effect does this training have on women?

For many women, it means far more than a new profession. It means freedom. The opportunity to earn their own money. The hope of building an independent and dignified life – for themselves and their families.

After their training, the women take an exam and, if successful, receive a state-recognized certificate. This allows them to officially register and often start working independently shortly thereafter. Microloans help them finance essential initial purchases, such as a sewing machine.

Each of these women follows her own path. And each of these paths begins with an opportunity – one that we make possible together.

We conduct regular surveys among our graduates to understand their goals from the training, their positive experiences, and our potential for improvement. It is always moving to hear that the most important success stories (the core messages) are consistently the same: the independence gained through their own income and the ability to support their families.