The New Nation - Internet Edition

Australia has recently extended support to Access toward Livelihood and Welfare Organisation (ALWO) for its existing project on dress-making and hand-embroidery training to destitute women.

With the additional fund for the second phase of this project, ALWO will provide training to another one hundred women of Natore district. The trainees will also receive a certificate from ALWO, a sewing machine, and Block designs for starting their own businesses after successful completion of the training.

The Australian High Commissioner, Douglas Foskett handed over a cheque of Taka 657,500 to ALWO Executive Director Ms Shamima Neela under the High Commission's Direct Aid Programme 2007-08.

Mr Foskett praised this noble effort of ALWO and said he was confident that the project would help to empower these Bangladeshi women by increasing their contribution to the welfare of their families and communities.

In a recent trip to the project area, Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Kilmeny Beckering Vinckers met participants from the first phase of the project.

She said funding the project presented a perfect opportunity for the High Commission to highlight the plight of rural women in Bangladesh where employment opportunities are few, especially for women, and hoped that the project would prove to be worthwhile for not only the trainees, but for the community as a whole. The deputy also exchanged greetings with the participants and looked at their handiworks while visiting the training centre.