EMPOWER & IGNITE THE YOUTH FOR A BETTER NATION

Covid 19  - A Lesson leading to change in the Community Business Dynamics

As the COVID19 crisis unfolded, and countries implemented large scale lockdowns. its impacted us also. All Training centers were closed as per Government Guidelines in April 20 to June 20. Only COVID-19 Support was provided to all beneficiaries that is Mask making to distribution, Dry Ration Support, Financial support to the communities and trainees. When govt announced Unlock of the towns in phased manner , we became operational with all COVID-19 Safety measures. To Combat Pandemic affect, Community need assessment conducted by Project Coordinators and Resource mobilizers. The brainstorming resulted is food support and the Financial support to start their businesses for sustainable income. Literacy India supported large number of women in the communities.

Literacy India did the survey to start small business as per beneficiaries’ interest and community need to increase income of families. Backyard poultry production/ Goat Rearing / Livestock farming is traditional in most rural area. Discussions and participatory exercises were conducted with more than 200+ families to understand the community need in 6  states of India.

The youth and women in our society are in need of livelihood options. However, most often they do not have the means to get the required skill sets for the same, hence limiting their options. Our Karigari Program helps to improve the status of Women / Youth in the society by providing them with livelihood options through vocational training in the areas based on beneficiaries’ preferences and aptitude.

Under Project Karigari support and the opportunities are created in the following manner: 

• Step 1: Conduct a survey of the area and identify beneficiaries
• Step 2: Assess the skills/ trainings that will be most beneficial to them
• Step 3: Set up Support
• Step 4: Invite beneficiaries for an orientation session
• Step 5: Regular ongoing training until the completion of the program
• Step 6: Workshop on business development and motivational sessions
• Step 7: Support to set up business and provide ongoing support to sustain the business

 What makes Karigari unique:

-          The complete program is free of charge, with all equipment and raw material provided by Literacy India

-          The beneficiaries are exposed to real life workshops at the center where the work is happening

-          The involvement of Literacy India does not end with training. There are regular visits by coordinators to help the beneficiaries get jobs and start their own enterprise.

Name : Shivani ( Name changed) Location : West Bengal

Shivani , 29,hard-working woman belongs to the Madla Village within the Baghmundi block of Purulia, West Bengal. She is a widow, and has no child. She lives with her father, who is a daily labour, and has a small land for seasonal cultivation.

Shivani was interested in stitching and she started tailoring classes at the Pratappur Centre of Literacy India. After completing the course, she started her from-home business and received orders from vendors (50-60 petticoats and blouses per week), and also got orders from the community. She earned quite well to support her family. However, due to the Covid- 19 pendemic lockdown,things slowed down and she had no other sources of income.

She shared her problem with Literacy India coordinator. Literacy India team suggested her to change business as per community need and at the same time, Literacy India financially supported her to start Grocery shop in the community to expand her business. This was a blessing for her as she had very little saving of her own. With the support of Literacy India, she opened her at-home grocery store. She is earning very well now from the grocery shop, and also earning money from sewing work partially. She is very happy to receive such an excellent opportunity idea and financial support from Literacy India. Now, she wants to continue her work and build her business.  

Links:

• INDHA: TORCHBEARER FOR WOMEN ARTISANS