Training Sessions That Strengthen Haliyal’s Learning Facilitators

Every new academic year brings fresh energy into our Shikshas—but this year began with something even more powerful: a series of hands-on training sessions designed to strengthen the skills and confidence of our Learning Facilitators. Thanks to our earlier partnership with The Meghshala Foundation, and now with CFTE these sessions helped educators’ step into the classroom better prepared, more inspired, and equipped with new tools to support every child’s learning journey. Learning the Digital Tools That Bring Classrooms Alive Over the summer, our facilitators attended workshops focused on the Meghshala App, the digital backbone of our Shiksha classrooms. Meghshala creates interactive learning modules that our educators use on tablets, making lessons more engaging and accessible for children. During the training, facilitators explored each element of the digital modules—how to navigate them, how to pace lessons, and how to blend technology with their own teaching styles. For many, it was a moment of empowerment: technology was no longer intimidating, but an ally in the classroom. Beyond the App: Building Strong Teaching Practices In June, a two-day workshop led by Mr. Manjunath Hemapur from Meghshala shifted the focus from digital tools to teaching techniques. Through group activities, discussions, and demonstrations, facilitators learned how to create classrooms where children feel safe to question, experiment, and make mistakes. They explored ideas like: These sessions helped facilitators see how their own presence, tone, and seriousness shape the learning environment. When they show enthusiasm, children respond with the same energy. A Stronger Foundation for Haliyal’s Children By the end of the training cycle, something had shifted. Our Learning Facilitators walked away not just with new skills, but with a deeper understanding of their role as educators. They now carry a renewed sense of responsibility—and pride—in shaping young minds. These learnings will ripple outward into every Shiksha classroom.Better-equipped facilitators mean more confident students, more joyful learning, and a stronger foundation for children across Haliyal. The year has only just begun, but the impact of these sessions is already taking root—quietly, steadily, and beautifully.

Transforming Lives: How Local Women Became Educators in Haliyal

On a typical weekday afternoon in Haliyal, you’ll find a small classroom buzzing with energy—songs echoing through the room, children acting out stories, and a group of young women learning how to teach with confidence and joy. This is the heart of the CherYsh Shiksha Learning Program, where local women are trained to become Learning Facilitators for their own communities. The journey begins with Mr. James D’Souza, a dedicated high-school teacher from Haliyal. With years of classroom experience and a strong foundation in functional English from the Regional Institute of Language, he brings both expertise and heart to the program. Every week, he leads lively training sessions filled with activities, role-plays, and creative teaching techniques—turning learning into something vibrant and alive. For many of these women, this is their first step into a professional role. They arrive shy, unsure, sometimes hesitant. But over time, something shifts. With every class they attend and every skill they master, their confidence grows. They begin to see themselves not just as learners, but as educators—women who can shape the futures of children in their villages. The impact has been remarkable.Over the years, trainers like Mr. D’Souza have invested hundreds of hours into building this community of educators. And today, 37 young women from Haliyal stand proudly as trained Learning Facilitators. They teach with confidence, earn regular incomes, and hold a respected place in their communities. What began as a training program has become a movement—one that transforms not just classrooms, but lives. These women are no longer just participants in the education system; they are leaders, role models, and the driving force behind a brighter future for rural children. In Haliyal, education is no longer something that arrives from outside.It is something grown from within—nurtured by the women who call this place home.

Training Women for Sugarcane Entrepreneurship in Haliyal

If you visit Mundwad village during planting season, you’ll notice something quietly powerful taking shape—not in the fields, but in the hands of a small group of determined women. Here, in the heart of Haliyal’s sugarcane belt, a new kind of rural entrepreneurship is taking root. It began with a simple idea:What if women could turn the region’s most abundant crop into a steady source of income? In 2019, that idea took form as the Mundwad Sugarcane Bud Nursery, created through a partnership between CherYsh and EID Parry Ltd. The goal was clear—equip women with the skills, tools, and confidence to grow and sell high-quality sugarcane buds, a product always in demand among local farmers. Where Training Meets Opportunity Three women from Mundwad stepped forward first. They travelled all the way to Nellikkuppam in Tamil Nadu, where EID Parry runs a specialized training center. There, they learned the science and technique behind cultivating healthy sugarcane buds—knowledge rarely accessible to rural women. When they returned, they didn’t just bring back skills.They brought back possibility. Soon, a group of five women formed the first livelihood collective in Haliyal. With training, seed funding, and ongoing expert guidance, they set up the nursery and began their first cycle of cultivation. A Business Begins to Bloom The results came quickly. The group started selling saplings at a profit, proving that women could lead agro-allied enterprises just as effectively as men—sometimes even more so. Their success sparked curiosity in neighboring villages, where more women are now exploring similar opportunities. Growing More Than Sugarcane What’s happening in Mundwad is more than a livelihood project. It’s a shift in how women see themselves—as entrepreneurs, as contributors to the local economy, and as leaders shaping the future of their communities. With each sapling sold, confidence grows.With each training completed, possibilities expand.And with each new group formed, Haliyal moves one step closer to a thriving, women-led rural economy.

Karakushala Kendras: Where Craft Becomes Community in Haliyal

Walk into the village of Mundwad on any quiet afternoon, and you’ll hear it before you see it—the soft rhythm of wool being looped, stretched, and woven. Inside a modest room, sunlight spilling across the floor, a circle of women sit together, laughing, sharing stories, and creating something beautiful with their hands. This is the CherYsh Karakushala Kendra, a space born from tradition, talent, and the simple desire for women to come together. For generations, the women of Haliyal have carried with them a treasure trove of skills—intricate hand embroidery, delicate crochet, quilting techniques learned from mothers and grandmothers. These crafts were often practiced quietly at home, admired within families but rarely seen as a pathway to income or independence. Yet the talent was unmistakable, and the need for a shared space—somewhere to learn, create, and grow together—became impossible to ignore. In August 2019, that space finally took shape. A Room Full of Possibilities The first Karakushala Kendra opened its doors in Mundwad, and twenty-two women stepped into a new chapter. Here, they began crafting woollen shawls and stoles using the traditional Khilla technique—a method involving a wooden board and nails, transforming simple yarn into vibrant, patterned fabric. What began as a gathering of skilled hands soon became a gathering of confident voices. The women registered themselves as an SHG, taking ownership of their craft and their enterprise. Decisions were made collectively. Designs were chosen together. Every finished shawl carried not just the warmth of wool, but the warmth of community. A Second Home for Craftswomen The success of Mundwad sparked something bigger. In the nearby village of Jogankoppa, another group of women came together—this time to create stunning crochet tapestries. Their Kendra became a place where creativity flowed freely, where women who once doubted their abilities now taught others with pride. And this is only the beginning. Plans are already underway to open more Karakushala Kendras across Haliyal, each one a small but powerful hub of skill, sisterhood, and self-reliance. More Than Craft—A Community Reimagined What makes these Kendras special isn’t just the artistry. It’s the transformation that happens quietly, day after day. Women who once worked alone now collaborate. Those who hesitated to speak now lead discussions. Income that once felt uncertain now arrives with dignity and consistency. In these rooms filled with yarn, needles, wooden boards, and laughter, something deeper is being woven—a stronger, more confident community of women who know their worth and shape their own futures. The Karakushala Kendras are not just centers of craft.They are centers of courage, creativity, and collective strength.

Karakushala Kendras: Crafting a Community in Haliyal

Women in Haliyal possess various handicraft skills, such as embroidery and crochet. To share these abilities, the “Karakushala Kendra” was established in Mundwad in 2019, allowing them to create woollen shawls. Additional centers are being planned in other villages. The women in Haliyal have several skills which includes specialised hand embroidery, crochet and quilting among several other handicrafts. Many of these skills are handed down from elders while some are acquired by women during their life’s journey. The need for a space where women can come together became critical. They needed a place to put their skills to use and share techniques with each other. A “cherysh Karakushala Kendra (Handicraft Centre) was inaugurated in Mundwad village in August 2019. Twenty two women work as a group in this village. They make woollen shawls and stoles using the “Khilla technique.” This technique involves a wooden board and nails to make beautiful pieces of fabric in myriad colours. The women have registered their group as SHG and the operations of the enterprise are carried out under its ambit. Another Karakushala Kendra was started in the village of Jogankoppa where women make tapestries using crochet technique. Efforts are in progress to open more “Karakushala Kendras” in the villages of Haliyal.

Training Women for Sugar Cane Entrepreneurship in Haliyal

The Mundwad sugar cane bud nursery initiates agro-allied livelihood groups in Haliyal, empowering women through income-generating opportunities in sugarcane cultivation. Supported by EID Parry Ltd., training has enabled local women to successfully sell saplings and explore further business ventures. The sugar cane bud nursery in Mundwad is the first step towards setting up agro-allied livelihood groups in Haliyal. Haliyal is part of the sugarcane cultivation belt. It offers a bright opportunity for women. They can earn regular income from growing and selling sugarcane buds. This entrepreneurship was developed in partnership with EID Parry Ltd. which is a major sugarcane industrial house in Haliyal. Three women from Mundwad made the idea a reality. They came forth to take training in sugar cane bud cultivation. This training came from the center run by EID Parry at Nellikkuppam in Tamil Nadu. The first group was formed by five women from Haliyal. They are supported with training, seed funding and expert advice from cherysh and EID Parry. The business is progressing successfully as the group has started selling the saplings at a profit. More such opportunities are being explored in the villages of Haliyal.

CherYsh Skilling & Entrepreneur Program

Women empowerment is one of the cornerstone principles at CherYsh. Some pivotal programs under this principle are the “CherYsh Skilling Program” and the “CherYsh Entrepreneur Program.” These programs empower women and help them escape agricultural bondage and debt cycles, enabling them to sustain their families and support their children’s education through CherYsh’s after-school learning programs. These efforts uplift communities by improving living standards and promoting financial independence. With a strong presence across 50+ villages, CherYsh continues to foster economic resilience by empowering rural women, nurturing their potential, and ensuring long-term sustainability for their ventures. CherYsh is addressing the challenges faced by rural women in Haliyal district, including limited work opportunities, underutilized skills, and barriers to market access. An example is quilt making, while a valuable skill, is labour-intensive and often unsustainable due to insufficient demand. To tackle these issues, CherYsh has launched an Entrepreneurship Development Program aimed at empowering women to build sustainable businesses. The program includes training in business development, financial literacy, project writing, and marketing strategies. Partnerships with organizations like KLE Tech University, Selco and the Deshpande Foundation provide mentorship and support to help women establish and manage sustainable enterprises. Additionally, the program offers financial literacy training, scheme orientation, and market linkages, indirectly benefiting over 200 women. Key Initiatives for Women’s Livelihoods Rural Teaching A Flagship Program: Learning Facilitators & Technology Educators: CherYsh has developed one of the most recognized Learning Facilitator (LF) & Master Trainer programs in rural India, partnering with esteemed institutions to ensure excellence in training. Key collaborators include: Transformational young women that aspire to be confident educators from Haliyal’s rural communities are selected for a rigorous 12-month LF program. The curriculum focuses on pedagogy, technology, and subject expertise in English, Math, and Computing. Weekly coaching sessions ensure participants develop into capable educators with regular incomes. Innovative Training Approach This flagship program not only empowers women with teaching skills but also transforms them into independent, confident contributors to their families and communities.

CherYsh Entrepreneur Program

Women empowerment is one of the cornerstone principles at CherYsh. Another pivotal program under this principle is the “CherYsh Entrepreneur Program.” CherYsh’s primary objective is to identify and develop the skills and potential of rural women, enabling them to engage in home-based industries and entrepreneurial endeavours. Through this program, economic empowerment is fostered, thereby elevating the standard of living for families and contributing to the continued education of their children. Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) CherYsh has established a robust grassroots presence in over 50 villages within Haliyal Taluk, launching the Entrepreneurial Development Program (EDP) to empower rural women entrepreneurs. This initiative provides comprehensive training in business development, financial literacy, project writing, and marketing strategies. In response to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and regional floods, the program supports women who are eager to contribute financially but lack the resources or guidance to establish businesses. Through collaborative partnerships with esteemed organizations such as KLE Tech University, Selco, and the Deshpande Foundation, CherYsh empowers women to establish resilient enterprises. Participants are provided with two years of uninterrupted mentorship and support, ensuring their success. Furthermore, financial literacy training and market linkage assistance indirectly benefit over 1000 women, contributing to a broader community impact. Retail Food Products: Empowering Women Through Community Kitchens Launched in 2013 in collaboration with the Roviralta Foundation, the CherYsh Community Kitchen Program has surpassed our initial expectations over the past decade. This program has fostered new partnerships with esteemed organizations such as Taj Hotels, Akshaya Patra, EID Parrys, Murugappa Group, Selco Foundation, and Buzz Women India. The program empowers rural women to utilize their culinary expertise through home-based enterprises, thereby generating income and enabling them to support their families and ensure their children’s education. Participants from Haliyal received comprehensive training in food hygiene, business management, and finance through classroom programs facilitated by Buzz Women India. Additionally, they gained practical insights through visits to the Taj Gateway Hotel Kitchen and the Akshaya Patra community kitchen. These visits provided them with exposure to best practices in large-scale cooking, packaging, and hygiene. In collaboration with EID Parrys and Murugappa Group, the program secured daily food supply orders for cafeteria workers. Over the past decade, this initiative has significantly transformed the lives of hundreds of women, providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities within the Haliyal region. The Community Kitchen Program remains dedicated to empowering rural women, transforming their acquired skills into viable and sustainable livelihoods. This initiative fosters independence, financial stability, and ensures the continued education of their children. Program Objectives Program Highlights CherYsh partnered with the Center for Entrepreneurship Development of Karnataka (CEDOK) to provide entrepreneurship training to over 100 women from rural Haliyal. Through this program, participants acquired essential skills in business development, project writing, marketing, and financial management, equipping them with the knowledge and abilities to establish and manage their own enterprises successfully. What People Say “As the Education Coordinator at the Block Education Office, I’ve collaborated with CherYsh for seven years. When CherYsh sought English training for their Learning Facilitators, we partnered to launch the Learning Facilitator Training Program. This initiative addressed the education gap and provided valuable employment opportunities for young women in the region.” James Dsouza, Education Co-ordinator, BEO, Haliyal “CherYsh, a non-governmental organization, has collaborated with Deshpande Pvt. Industrial Training Institute to promote education and skill development. Their partnership has been successful in empowering women in Haliyal district, leading to increased household income and improved education standards in their villages.” Mr. Prakash Prabhu, Chief officer, Deshpande Trust “I’ve been a Learning Facilitator with Shiksha for six years. After completing my 12th standard, my family didn’t support my dream of continuing education, so I married. Joining CherYsh was a life-changing opportunity. I’m grateful for the chance to share knowledge and positively impact the children’s education. When I’m with my students, I’m fully immersed in their learning.” Mangala Mirash, Learning facilitator of the Shiksha program, Sathnalli village