Women to Women: Power, Purpose, and Passing It On

The Women to Women program began with a simple but powerful vision, brought to life by two women at the heart of our community in Anjuna: Rupa and Farida. They saw the untapped potential in the women around them. They believed that the women who had learned skills through Project Tres could pass that knowledge forward - creating a chain of growth, one woman at a time.

Since then, the women in our center have taken turns stepping into mentorship roles, each one leading a workshop for the very first time. It’s a role many of them never imagined themselves in. But they’ve stepped up, and proved to themselves just how much they’re capable of.

A vision rooted in community

“I was quite doubtful about my work. But when I stepped up as a mentor and taught the ladies, I gained confidence and was very grateful for the experience. – Priyatama said, after leading her first workshop in Anjuna, Goa.

It’s difficult to put into words what it means to see a woman take the front of a room for the first time. To teach. To lead. To take up space. But maybe it looks a little like the moment Priyatama stepped forward to share what she knew. Or when a group of women gathered around her, ready to learn - led not by a distant teacher, but by one of their own.

This is what our Women to Women training program is all about. Women teaching women. Women learning from women. And everything that comes with that: confidence, connection, pride, and transformation.

From student to mentor

Launched in 2024, the Women to Women program has already reached over 132 women in just four months. Through workshops in embroidery, keychain-making, and scrunchie-making, women who once came to us to learn are now passing on their skills to others - especially to women in their own communities who may not have access to the same resources or support.

For many, stepping into the role of mentor is transformative. To be seen as someone with wisdom to share, someone others look to, changes how they see themselves.

More than workshops: it’s about claiming space

In societies where women are often expected to stay in the background, moments like these are nothing short of radical. These workshops are not just about skill-building. They are about claiming space - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

They’re spaces where women come together to share stories, support each other, and find strength in sisterhood. The setting is informal, welcoming, and rooted in trust - offering an alternative to traditional support groups, which can sometimes feel intimidating or inaccessible.

And because they take place in safe, community-based spaces, they are also more likely to be accepted by families, making it easier for women to show up without fear or judgment.

The ripple effect of female connection

There is no bond like the one between women who understand each other. Women who’ve walked similar paths. Who know the pressure, the silence, the doubts, and the dreams. When one woman rises and reaches back to lift another, something magical happens.

We don’t just pass on skills. We pass on belief. We pass on strength. We remind each other: You can do this. And you don’t have to do it alone.

When a woman learns from someone who speaks her language, shares her culture, and knows what it’s like to walk in her shoes - it just hits different. It’s not some far-off dream, it’s right in front of her, in her community. And suddenly, it feels possible.

That’s what Women to Women is really about.

The skills being shared - like embroidery, keychain-making, or scrunchie-making - may seem small at first glance. But for many women, they represent something much bigger: a path forward.

For those who discover a real interest or talent in handicrafts, this could be the very first step toward a new livelihood. Some women who join these trainings go on to deepen their skills and start creating products they can sell. Others might join our official training program and even become part of our production team. This opens the door to job opportunities, financial independence, and choices.

Because when a woman starts earning her own income, the story begins to shift. She no longer has to stay where it’s unsafe. She can begin to choose what’s right for her, maybe for the first time ever. For many of the women in our program, that kind of freedom is new. The kind that allows her to care for her kids on her own terms. To walk away from abuse with something to fall back on. To make a plan, not just for the next day, but for a future she gets to shape.

It’s not just about surviving anymore. It’s about living a life with safety, dignity, and real possibilities.

Our vision for 2025

We’re dreaming bigger. In 2025, we aim to reach 400 women in India and 250 women in Kenya through the Women to Women program.

But we can’t do it alone. To make this vision a reality, we need people who believe in the power of women helping women. People who see the value in confidence, connection, and community. 

If this resonates with you, consider supporting our journey by becoming a monthly donor.  With your help, we can continue to train, uplift, and connect more women than ever before.