Updates on Project Sucharu for Income Generation of Women
Sucharu too faced serious challenges from the crippling impact of the pandemic when we could not give any work to the beneficiaries since the production was almost stopped. The beneficiaries became almost jobless despite our sincere effort to obtain orders from one source or another.
We were able to contact MONSUTA, a wholesale supplier of designer fabrics. We got bulk orders from them to cater to the needs of the beneficiaries as a temporary measure. The beneficiaries suffered financially in as much as when the earning members of their families had no job or had to suspend their jobs under compulsion. We are to ponder over how the project could be sustained when normalcy, not as before is coming back slowly.
In October 2022, we conducted a workshop at Jagadishpur, Rajarhat in collaboration with an NGO, Mukti Sikha, working for underprivileged girls and women. Mukti Sikha identified the trainees and arranged for the space, whereas Kholo Aankhi conducted the workshop with all resources like clothes for embroidery duly designed, thread, and other allied materials, and the resource person too. Now production has started there and about ten women are earning from their skilled work.
During this period, we took part in four exhibitions, but the sale proceeds were much below due to the prevailing situation when the number of visitors was low and the purchasing power of the visitors was much below than before.
“KHOLO AANKHI” organized on its own, an exhibition under the banner of “Sucharu” on 11th and 12th March 2023 at “Baikaliki Swapan Smriti Pathagar”, Bangur Avenue, Kolkata. Eighteen other participants were present with their respective products.
Varieties of materials starting from sari, several types of dresses to home decor, cosmetics to jewelry, and last but not the least mouthwatering foods were all available under one roof. As a part of our social commitment, we specially invited two organisations “Iswar Sankalpo,” working for the treatment and rehabilitation of epileptic destitute patients, and “Workshop for Blind,” working for underprivileged visually challenged people.
They came with the products made by their beneficiaries. All the viewers appreciated our endeavour and praised the beautifully designed hand-embroidered works done by the women of the “SUCHARU” project.
