Saswata Mahila Samity (SMS)

SMS are a Non Governmental Organisation which puts the profit from trading back into building the capacity of the organisation. They are a village group in a geographically isolated area removed from access to markets and with severe socio economic and crime issues.

Shabitri is a very talented and skilled artisan; she founded SMS ten years ago and is currently the group leader. Shabitri is an inspiring woman with infectious energy who has had the opportunity to participate in trade fairs in Italy through funding from Sasha.

Minoti Khaal is one of the group members and she brings her baby (Molika 18 months) with her when she comes to work. Molika is asleep on her lap in this picture. Being able to embroider while looking after Molika allows Minoti to supplement her husband’s income. Like many of the women’s husbands, her husband is a farmer and the income from their land is not enough to support their needs. SMS encourage the women to make sure all their children receive an education and through this encouragement and income Molika will be able to go to school when she is old enough.

Through NZAID's capacity building grants, Trade Aid provided SMS with a small grant of 25,000 INR which was used for a training workshop. Shabitri has also donated her own money in the past for training of the women in embroidery and production. The beautiful embroidery takes hours and requires a high level of skill. SMS won a merit award from Sasha this year which comes with a small cash prize and a certificate of recognition.

The group work together for companionship with as many group members who have the time to attend each day. The group provides much needed employment for the women in the area as there are no other employment opportunities around. The salty agricultural land caused by the proximity to the sea means the rice they grow is of poor quality affecting the price they receive. The ability of the women to work around their domestic work and family duties is one of the strengths of handcrafts. The timing they put in is flexible and they receive piece rates for as much work as they are able to do.

Namita Sardar is the leader of PRACHESTA - a womens' Group who make decorative hangings for the fair trade market. Namita has had a lot to be thankful for since joining the group on their inception in 1988. Before this time, her husband's employment was erratic and low paid which lead to concerns about raising and educating their three children. Since joining Prachesta, Namita no longer worries about funding her childrens' education or putting food on the table. Instead she puts her energy into training the 70 women who are involved in the craft and ensuring smooth quality production. Narmita works specifically in producing new samples to grow their orders and increase the availability of potential new markets.

"Almost all children in the village are in school now. 5 years before it was very different"

Lota Das (shown here seated on the right of Namita) runs the NGO that set up Prachesta in 1988. Lota met Namita in the village one day and encouraged her to join the group. They started up Prachesta with only 4 or 5 women and are now providing employment for 70, not even ten years later. Lota realised the potential benefit in setting up a group that would be able to create employment and bring new skills into the village.  Namita says that one of the most important benefits the group brings to the community is that "the women can feel proud of the work they do and they are respected".

"The community is regenerating and cooperating in getting stock to the market and raw materials into the building..."