USHA Silai School (Thayil Palli) Programme: Training Rural Women as Sewing Teachers and Micro-Entrepreneurs

Implemented by Native Medicare Charitable Trust (NMCT) with USHA International Ltd.

The USHA Silai School programme trains rural women in sewing and stitching, sewing machine servicing and entrepreneurial skills, so they can start household-level Silai Schools. Along with technical skills, the women build communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. Trained women teach others, earn an income and contribute to their families and communities.

Ongoing: first batch trained. The first residential training was completed in September 2026 and the women are now moving towards setting up their Silai Schools.

Technical skills. Women learn sewing and stitching, including tailoring, cutting and pattern making, and basic sewing machine repair, assembling and troubleshooting.

Entrepreneurial skills. Participants learn how to set up and run their own Silai Schools as self-sustaining businesses, creating income-generating opportunities at household level.

General life skills. The programme strengthens decision-making, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, building self-reliance and empowerment.

Financial independence. With these skills, women gain secure earnings, contribute to their families’ income and improve their social standing.

Programme structure and support

• USHA provides the syllabus, sewing machines and signage to help women set up their Silai Schools.

• A residential training builds skills and the confidence to teach others. The first batch took part in a 9-day residential training, certifying the women as USHA Thayil Palli (Silai School) teachers.

• The Usha Silai App offers free video lessons, tips and certification in regional languages.

• Women form a network of self-reliant teachers who also inform their communities about their rights and available government schemes.

Verified Impact Figures

• 15 women completed the 9-day residential training (21–29 September 2026) and were certified as USHA Thayil Palli (Silai School) teachers.

• The programme as started from 2013, so figures on Silai Schools started, women taught and income earned will be added after follow-up.

• Also completed in 20+ districts in Tamil Nadu.

Next steps

• Next phase (planned), Silai School set-up: Women set up household-level Silai Schools with the USHA syllabus, machines and signage.

• Ongoing (planned), Learning and outreach: Usha Silai App learning; awareness on rights and government schemes.