Given the vast diversity of the Indian rural scenario, Shroffs
Foundation Trust has always believed in tailoring programs to suit
specific target groups. Several innovations in existing effective
and time-tested programs in Handicrafts have been in corporate
which included.
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Development of replicable Skill Training Modules as well as a
special Prototype Module of 36 designs, with detailed practical
and theory classes. The training is offered in the villages
themselves by the master craftswomen so there is no dislocation of
the beneficiary women from their own homes/villages. |
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The stipends to the trainees have been‘re-organized’ in a much
more positive and ‘work-related’ manner rather than just ‘doles’.
Trainees will therefore themselves cook nutritious meals as per
our nutrition guidelines. Trainees will ‘earn’ their incentives
through the sales of their training pieces and the Trust will make
sure that they will get this amount. |
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The capacity-building is not just in terms of the craftwork
(bead and embroidery work) but is designed holistically to include
tailoring and finishing, sampling, kit-making, store-keeping,
inventory, pricing and marketing. |
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The Production Unit, Design Studio, and Training Unit is been
set up within the target area with an objective of developing an
independent sustainable handicraft business to be run by the SHG
group member at Rangpur. |
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The above is in view of the fact that the Trust plans to float
a Producer Company that will look at production and marketing of
Handicrafts as a viable ‘industry’. The products will have a brand
name – “Viveka”. Each craftsperson will be a shareholder and the
Company will be set up with the right infrastructure and work
along scientific management principles. The paperwork with regard
to this is already completed and registration formalities are
under way. It is hoped that by the time the fourth year of this
project ends, the Producer Company will be ready to pick up from
where the project leaves. This will ensure long-term
sustainability and an uninterrupted empowerment process. The Trust
has already registered the Producer Company with the IRFT
(International Resources for Fairer Trades), Mumbai, for
evaluation in the areas of product quality and pricing norms and
for later access to international markets. A commercial outlet to
make the products easily available will be established in Baroda. |
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Training Modules therefore have significant emphasis on
Business Management inputs and their practical working through
Group Leaders selected from the trainees will be demonstrated. |
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Establishment of Craft Centers at 12 villages. These will be
centrally accessible places for artisans from nearby villages.
(Land acquisition for these is under process.) In addition there
will be a centralized Design Studio with library, reference
samples, embroidery and bead design development, skill design
catalogues and product catalogues. |
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Since the project is working primarily with women beneficiaries
in the Handicrafts section, peripheral elements of Women’s
Empowerment activities such as functional literacy, basic legal
and banking knowledge, water sensitivity, and family health and
hygiene will also be included in the training. |
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The program introduces, for the first time, the idea of Theme
Camps to create mass awareness about the peripheral issues of
empowerment so that they do not get lost in the focus on financial
empowerment. Selection and training of local enterprising youth
termed as Village Level Motivators (VLMs) have been undertaken to
make the Theme Camps a success. |
