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In 1976 a trade-training center was started for the teenage girls that came out of Inter-Mission homes. In the beginning, the girls were given training in handloom weaving by Mr. Alexander, a retired air-force man. At the same time another unit was started in a village church to train young women, widows and destitute women in making batiks. In 1979, this batik-making unit was transferred to Aminjikarai in Madras, combining with the handloom weaving to form what was then called the “Girls Training Center” (GTC) of IID.

Poor and underprivileged women living nearby also started attending this center, as local leaders recommended it to them. In 1982, Mr. U. Benjamin and his wife, Mrs. Parwin Benjamin took over as leaders of this center, and it was only then that a hostel facility was offered to the girls from Inter-Mission homes. A tailoring training course was added during the following years. In 1993, the handloom weaving section closed-down and a computer course took its’ place for girls that had finished their schooling until the 12th Standard.

The girls in the tailoring course have to do official exams, and a lot of their time is also spent in theory classes, preparing for these exams. However, in the afternoons, practical sewing classes are taken where the girls sew clothes for the children in Inter-Mission homes, and they also learn how to sew their own clothes. This center receives a major source of income through the sale of the beautiful Indian batik designs. These batik pieces are becoming popular around the world, and organizations like Tear Fund are major customers, continually sending orders that support this center.

This training unit is located in Aminjikarai, not far from the center of Chennai. This place had initially begun functioning in a temporary shed, however it has seen many developments over the years, and beautiful spacious buildings were built for all the training courses, and the girls now have a new dorm to live in, with a comfortable common room in which they can spend their spare time. A well-equipped kitchen is also a major improvement from the last one, which was just a temporary shed. Thanks to their sponsors, the whole place has changed for the better, enabling these girls to learn and to work to the best of their abilities.This training unit is located in Aminjikarai. This place had initially begun functioning in a temporary shed, however it has seen many developments over the years, and recently a beautiful new building was built for all the training courses, and the girls now have a new dorm to live in, with a comfortable common room in which they can spend their spare time. The kitchen is also a major improvement from the last, which was just a temporary shed.Thanks to their sponsors, the whole place has changed for the better, enabling these girls to learn and to work to the best of their abilities.