barefoot enrich: A DYNAMIC CURRICULUM DELIVERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER NGOS
RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS RAISED BY GRASSROOTS WOMEN THEMSELVES
Barefoot College International believes in the key role women play in improving overall quality of life within marginalized rural villages. The Empowering & Nurturing Resilience of Individuals & Communities Holistically (ENRICH) programme invests in women to help them reach their full potential so that they can fulfill their aspirations and transform their communities. The ENRICH curriculum provides rural women with the opportunity to gain confidence, practical knowledge and skills that are relevant to their life and priorities.
ENRICH has regionally curated content which works in partnership with indigenous and local NGOs.
Every Barefoot Woman is trained to train others, she is taught to share her knowledge with as many in her community as possible, thereby creating a ripple effect. Integrating digital tools and literacy expand her abilities and her capacity to share her knowledge with others.
For women who have been denied a formal education opportunity, the ENRICH curriculum places a democratic learning environment, free form barriers and inclusive of her many existing skills and wisdom, at her fingertips.
We believe that addressing underlying structural and social barriers to women empowerment can only be achieved using a holistic participatory approach. ENRICH focuses on seven axes of learning:
This module guides participants through reflection and dialogue to reconnect with personal aspirations and strengths. Through meditation, creative expression, and life mapping, they build confidence, communication, and problem-solving skills, fostering leadership and resilience to lead personal and community transformation.
Participants engage in open dialogue on gender equality, violence, women and child’s rights using visual aids and group discussion. The module empowers them to recognize and challenge injustice, promote equity, and transfer this awareness to their families and communities.
This module equips women with the skills to use smartphones, communication apps, and digital tools responsibly. It bridges the digital divide by promoting safe online behavior, building confidence, and enabling women to access and share information effectively in a digital world.
Focused on budgeting, saving, and using banking services, this module helps participants make informed financial decisions. Through role-plays and booklets, they explore goal-oriented saving, emergency preparedness, and managing financial responsibilities, reducing vulnerability to debt and fostering economic resilience.
This module encourages environmentally-friendly practices such as composting, kitchen gardening, conscious consumption, recycling and more. It raises awareness about climate change and health, equipping participants with practical skills to build resilience and promote sustainability in their homes and communities.
Covering menstrual and reproductive health, hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention, this module uses interactive tools to break taboos and promote informed health decisions. Participants gain knowledge to improve their own well-being and create healthier environments for their families and communities.
Designed to strengthen business capabilities, this module trains participants in customer relations, sales, problem-solving, as well as basic business planning, budgeting and bookkeeping. Using games, role-plays and visual booklets, it develops practical skills for managing small businesses and building trust and resilience as community-based entrepreneurs.
