Building Better Futures International

Building Better Futures International formerly Friends of the Poor in South India (BBFI) aim is to foster the talents and skills of the poorest women and children in South India so that they can lift themselves out of poverty –permanently! BBFI supports around 1,600 women and children each year in villages and towns in Tamil Nadu in Southern India. The programmes provide tailoring training and small loans for sewing machines as well as handlooms to a community of women weavers. It also provides daily after-school education for children. The Charity also supports the provision of poverty relief for destitute tribal people in the Western Ghats Mountains.

Each woman the charity trains in tailoring and provides with a sewing machine sees her income lifted three-fold and secures her independent, secure and sustainable work, free from exploitation. This permanently changes the lives and hopes of her and her children.

Following the recent escalation of violence against women and in order to secure the safety of the women and staff, the charity has recently raised funds for six second-hand sewing machines for the women which helps them to become independent and gives them more confidence. bbf-intl.org.uk