| The alternative livelihood
program provides opportunities to address medium-term
concerns and needs of the women clients. Social
services give them a sure line of hope
and the necessary sense of security to the women
clients at the point when they need them most. However,
as they gradually rebuild their lives, they need
to regain and strengthen their sense of dignity
and self-worth by actively participating in productive
activities. Such efforts are designed to open up
for them more long-term economic opportunities and
hopefully, adequate sources of alternative livelihood.
As in the Social Services component, DAWN does
not limit opportunities for alternative livelihood
for its women clients to what its limited resources
can provide. An integral part of this component
is networking with and tapping potential providers
of alternative livelihood to its women clients.
• Sikap Buhay (SIKHAY)
Sikhay is DAWN’s maiden alternative livelihood
program for women. Sikhay is short for Sikap-Buhay
which means striving for a better life or self-empowerment.
It presently consists of three component projects:
sewing, handloom weaving,
and tie-dye.
• DAWN
Multipurpose Cooperative Inc.
As part of its commitment to provide economic
assistance and support to women beneficiaries
of its project with the ILO on the ‘Psycho-social
and Economic Reintegration Program for Women Victims
of Trafficking,’ DAWN held several career
counseling, trainings, workshops and seminars
in entrepreneurial building and accounting.
In June 2008, in partnership with the PUP College
of Cooperatives, DAWN started a series of seminars
on cooperativism. The objective was to respond
to the many queries of the women and to find out
if it would be possible for the women to come
together and pool their resources for a joint
undertaking.
• DAWN
Wellness Center
As part of its involvement in the ILO-HSF project
on the Economic and Psycho-Social Empowerment
of Returned Women Victims of Trafficking, fifteen
women members of DAWN trained in cosmetology at
the Splash Foundation from December 2-6, 2008.
Part of the training was to learn the basics of
hair cutting, hair perming, manicure, pedicure,
footspa, and reflexology. This training was made
possible through the Employers’ Confederation
of the Philippines (ECOP), also a partner in the
said project.
• Other projects (Center and community-based)
DAWN provides further assistance to interested
women clients in acquiring new skills that are
apt to the changing times (i.e. hands-on computer
training).
In keeping with the advanced technology, DAWN
also provides hands-on computer training course
for women, particularly on MS Word and MS Excel,
and is guided by the following objectives:
- to familiarize the participants on basic
computer terms, commands and programs,
- to create awareness and promote appreciation
on the possibilities and advantages of using
the computer as information and communication
tool,
- to develop the participants’ capacity
to utilize the computer as a convenient and
modern tool for self-expression, and
- to develop camaraderie among the participants
including the workshop facilitators / staff
and volunteers.
It is not only knowing how to use the equipment
that is emphasized in this activity. It also intends
to promote awareness and appreciation of modern
technology instead of the usual indifference or
reluctance towards it just because of its overwhelming
possibilities that may appear complicated and
difficult to grasp for reluctant learners.
Those members who have acquired computer skills
can now prepare documents and reports using the
basic programs, MS Word and MS Excel while others
use them for other personal purposes.
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