VAROSHA

dependence                                      confidence                                         trust                                         support

dependence                                      confidence                                         trust                                         support

During October 2007, Varosha successfully launched its most challenging program to date, VIJOY (Varosha In a Journey Of Yours), which helps women become truly self-sufficient by  starting their own enterprises.  Through its Beautician and Tailoring schools,  Varosha trains impoverished women to become certified tailors and beauticians.  Through VIJOY, Varosha provides these women with financial and operational assistance to help them start their own tailoring and beautician enterprises.  To date, thirteen VIJOY participants have started their own enterprises.  Varosha provides capital, and helps the women develop budgets, timelines, and benchmark goals.  Varosha’s hope is that these women will become completely independent owners of their own businesses. 

This project is not a handout.  Varosha provides financial assistance through interest-free loans, and expects all program participants to honor the terms of those loans.  When the VIJOY participants become self-sufficient and repay their loans, Varosha will redistribute these funds to a new group of participants. 

Varosha is thus uniquely positioned as a provider of “end-to-end support”: it not only trains participants, but also helps them start their own enterprises.

Vijoy has created a renewed sense of excitement in the slum.  The women are now looking towards the future with hope and optimism.  This is the first time that they have been recognized as dependable and productive members of society.

Varosha leaders meet with a Vijoy participant at a Varosha community center.

“Varosha In a Journey Of Yours”