Thank You for Responding Generously to the RTDC Earthquake Relief Fund. 

Your relief support has been used to help our students and their families. We will continue to respond to needs if the most appropriate way in the months ahead.

Meet Students of the 14th Group

 RTDC
Rescue Training and Development Center 

Meenu, the founder and primary teacher of RTDC. 

Our mission is simple... to give rescue economically and spiritually by encouraging and educating women in Nepal. We do this through teaching a primary skill of sewing at our training center located in Kathmandu, Nepal. 
Besides sewing, students learn knitting, candle making, nutrition, cooking, hygiene, public speaking, time management, financial planning and how to build a sustainable home business.  
Our students become confident and skilled ladies, leaders in their homes and communities, rescued from the many possible consequences of poverty. These women come from all across Nepal. They have poor backgrounds, some have worked as forced labor, have been rejected by husbands and family, are uneducated, disabled, deaf, divorced, orphaned or alone in this world.  When they enter RTDC they have usually have no options for a bright future. 
The leaders of RTDC give these women the love and skills needed for a future filled with hope and opportunity. Meet our Students, learn student Backgrounds, and go on a Village Visit with us. 
Important Dates
Present Activities
Earthquake Relief Urgent Funds Needed

5 students were at RTDC and more were soon to come for refresher training when the earthquakes began, April 25th. All were safe, and have returned to villages, but all need assistance, shelter and food! 

Coming Activities 
*Delayed start date* but going!!
14th group of students will began training in July 2015, and graduate  October 2015.
Trip planned for graduation.
Facts & Figures
  • RTDC began Sept 2008
  • Completed training 13 groups
  • Each group has 10 ladies
  • Length of training 4 months
  • Youngest student 15 years old
  • Oldest student 46 years old
  • Average age 23 years old
  • Hindu, Buddhist, Christian
  • Refresher training 7 completed
  • Refresher training 2-4 weeks
  • Only poorest girls are chosen
  • Program cost per student $720 USD, covered by donations
  • Free to student, except sewing machine, approx. $100
  • Success rate excellent, affecting: student, family, and future generation.

Why sewing...?

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Sewing is a sustainable trade. We don't just give the women food and shelter, we also teach them how to thrive. An education focused on a usable trade is priceless. It is a business that can be started anytime and anywhere. Unlike in the U.S., the primary way for people in Nepal to acquire clothing is through a seamstress or tailor instead of a clothing store. People also constantly need clothes tailored, hemmed, and adjusted. This makes sewing a versatile and economically stable skill.
Learning a trade such as sewing gives these women a brighter future and the opportunity to be self-employed and self-dependant. They are able to stay at the school for four months contributing to an education of intense learning. If you would like to learn more about how to support these brave women please feel free to Contact Us or visit our online giving page, Support RTDC.

Nepal: majestic...struggling...

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Nepal, one of the most beautiful places on earth. A land filled with vibrant color, constant noise, and majestic sights of the world's tallest mountains. But Nepal is a country where most people struggle just to survive.  Opportunities in the city and villages for work that pays a living wage are scarce.  In the country side families work the land growing potatoes, rice and a few vegetables to survive. Poverty is a normal Nepali struggle. The per capita income is only $1,000. A third of people live everyday without clean drinking water. Many have no access to basic health care or an education; especially the girls. 
Opportunity... A training center like RTDC provides women an opportunity to learn and thrive by opening a small sewing business. 

Street Children... And we work with children who have made the streets of Kathmandu their home and community. They don't attend school and are orphaned, abandoned, or have runway because of intolerable family life or lack of food to eat at home. You can read more about our Street Children ministry.

  Experience arriving into Kathmandu 
 Music by Esterlyn
* Important suggestion for slower internet; start the video, then pause for 2 minutes
 this allows the video to buffer, then enjoy without interruption.

Experience departing Kathmandu
Music by Esterlyn