Founded in 2008, with the objective of creating fair and sustainable employment in rural areas, this effort now engages 300+ artisans, impacting more than 1000 families, right from the collection of banana stem from agricultural fields to making the finished products. Based in rural hinterlands, most weavers involved in this enterprise weave as a tradition and have a loom in their home. Both men and women are involved in spinning and weaving. This is a rain-shadow region so agriculture is seasonal. Men and some women were involved in daily migration and traveled 40-50 kms each day to seek work. As weaving opportunities were made available, fewer members of the family, if at all, have to seek casual labor work. Raw material is made available to the weavers by the organizational staff. A per-piece rate is arrived at in conversation with the weavers which is higher than minimum daily wage in the area.
Sustainability & Fair Trade
Handwoven using traditional looms
Natural, renewable and biodegradable raw material
Reusable
Electricity is not used in any of the production process except in some cases
Fair, steady income
Employing rural, traditional weavers
Weavers work in sub-groups headed by a master weaver, who is an independent entrepreneur, responsible for making work available for his/her members. An organization representative is also in contact with individual weavers.
Interest-free soft loans provided on need basis.
Health checkup camps and support for medical expenses provided
