“I am confident that I can start a business with the skill and knowledge I gained in Lydia advance training. My challenge will be start-up fund, but I will upgrade my home based work and will start a business in near future and be economically strong and independent..”
Lydia Vocational Training Programme
The Lydia Vocational Training Programme (LVTP) trains women with skills, spiritual nurturing and awareness to become financially independent.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15
The Project
In Nepal, women in rural and disadvantaged communities face significant barriers to education, employment, and financial independence. Many are unable to access training due to household responsibilities, childcare, or safety concerns, leaving them with limited opportunities to support themselves and their families.
Since 1997, the Lydia Vocational Training Programme has been equipping women with practical skills and confidence to build a better future.
Today, the programme is expanding — creating more flexible, accessible training opportunities so that even the most vulnerable women can participate and thrive.
Objectives
- Providing vocational training in tailoring, jewellery-making, and other practical skills
- Offering short-term, accessible courses for women unable to leave home long-term
- Delivering basic business training to support home-based enterprises
- Supporting personal growth, confidence, and leadership development
- Creating pathways for income generation and long-term employment
Progress
Recent training programmes have equipped women with practical, income-generating skills they can use from home.
- 12 women completed jewellery training, with 11 graduating successfully
- Participants received business training to help start small enterprises
- Graduates are already exploring income opportunities through home-based work
The impact is multiplying. One former trainee has returned as a trainer, helping equip others with new skills and opportunities.
The programme is also evolving to reach more women — with plans to expand training pathways and support 100–115 women annually.
What’s next
- Expanding vocational pathways beyond tailoring
- Introducing flexible, short-term training options
- Providing start-up support and equipment for graduates
- Strengthening follow-up and alumnae engagement
Impact
The Lydia Programme is helping women build confidence, gain practical skills, and create sustainable income — transforming not only their own lives, but their families and communities.
Annually, we need to raise NZD 30,000 to continue empowering more women in Nepal. You can be the pathway for more women to discover their skills and potentially start a business or gain employment.
Lekh Maya’s Journey to Empowerment
Lekh Maya, a 22-year-old from the Tanahu district, shared her story with us. “Since my childhood, I wanted to learn sewing, but I didn’t get that chance.” Living in a house with 25 family members, she was consumed by the daily house chores. Even if she wanted to learn, her family would not allow it as she was expected to stay at home to do chores and due to the high cost of training.
In January 2023, she joined the Lydia Vocational Training Centre (LVTC), where she learned to sew and after receiving a sewing machine upon graduation, she started her own business. Now, she’s attending advanced training at LVTC, further developing her skills and supporting her family.
“Many, many thanks. Because of you, I could learn the skill that I had wanted to learn for very long.” – Lekh Maya
Donate today and equip women with essential skills for financial independence.
To continue growing this work, we aim to raise NZD $30,000 annually.
Your support helps provide training, tools, and opportunities for women to build independent, sustainable livelihoods.
See the impact YOUR support has
