|
Village ladies making
quilts |
In 2004 Anne joined forces with Nileema Mishra, an inspiring young woman, who single- handedly has guided
and nurtured a movement to enable the women in the local villages near Tapovan to empower themselves through
self-help groups. Prior to this, the women kept to themselves in their own small houses and rarely ventured out. |
| Nileema has formed 100 self-help groups with over
2,000 women in 15 villages. An upliftment project with women from the area
surrounding Tapovan has evolved naturally. The skills and training Anne
has given them in the area of cottage industries, has enabled them to make quilts and kurtas. |
Nileema
Mishra |
|
Ladies' income helps support
their families |
They hold exhibitions and sell direct to the public and also
to many shops and now hotels are ordering their special quilts. The income generated helps many people. The women are
also trained in computer skills, making pickles and condiments for sale, embroidery work, beading work, jewellery
making, machine stitching and making household products for sale. |
| Many of the women are widows who need to support
their children. By giving them the opportunity to work, they have been able to become financially independent and
even open bank accounts. Their handiwork has featured in most of Anne's export garments. In this way,
she has been able to help 500 women to feed and support their families. |
Anne with some of the ladies |
