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SLCC’s Women’s India Trust Initiative was launched in Fall 2007 as Karen Gunn, Dean of the School of Professional and Economic Development, returned from the Governor’s Trade Mission to Mumbai, India. While on this mission, Dean Gunn was introduced to Shyamla Nath, Chief Executive of the Women’s India Trust (WIT). Ms. Nath asked Salt Lake Community College for help in promoting the WIT’s mission of providing income generation opportunities for impoverished women in the Mumbai region. WIT has requested entrepreneurial training, help in obtaining micro-loans to purchase equipment and supplies, and the creation of market opportunities in the U.S. for the goods produced by WIT.
To fulfill these requests SLCC plans to send a team from Women’s Business Institute to Mumbai in May 2008, and to acheive the following objectives:
- A two-week entrepreneurial and financial literacy course following a custom curriculum developed by SLCC, which will act as a model for similar programs worldwide. Approximately 65 women in the WIT program will benefit directly from this training.
- The facilitation of micro-loans for the women participants to purchase the required sewing machines and supplies to work out of their homes. Kathy Ricci, Executive Director of the Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund will lead this effort.
- A good-will reception, to be hosted by SLCC at the WIT or another venue. Local dignitaries, community leaders, corporate sponsors and guests of the WIT will be invited to this reception.
- The development and facilitation of a trade relationship for WIT goods with a retailer in the United States. WIT produces high-end textile products that have strong potential in U.S. markets.
- A “World Bazaar” silent auction and dinner hosted by SLCC that will give the media, sponsors, business partners and guests the chance to see the unique and exotic goods produced by women at the WIT firsthand. SLCC will purchase the items to be auctioned off at this event directly from WIT, thereby generating income for WIT participants. Additionally, all proceeds from this event will go toward a scholarship fund for low-to-moderate income women entrepreneurs in Utah to attend the SLCC Women’s Business Institute’s Fast Trac First Step. This vital component of SLCC’s program links women entrepreneurs in Mumbai with those in Utah.
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