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Gazing
through the struggles that the artisans and weavers of
the Thanagazi village had to face, JRF had decided to
follow a strategy that would help the artisans and
weavers to be abreast of the new changes taking place in
the market and would stabilize their earnings. These
strategies can be stated as under:
A. Mobilization campaign
The JRF teams worked across 30 villages. They tried
persuading the weavers and artisans for a better
standard of living. The aim of this exercise was to
enlighten the underprivileged, unemployed artisans and
weavers about the advantages of relocating or mobilizing
to an area where common groups can meet. Together, 72
artisans and weavers decided to relocate to a better
place out of which 45 were women between the age group
of 20-27 years and the rest were men belonging to the
age group of 20-30 years.
B. Looms Distribution
The foundation encouraged the distribution of looms
through its dedicated teams to the rural artisans and
weavers. Once the looms were distributed, they were
assisted by a trainer who taught these artisans and
weavers how to use the looms. Approximately, 36 looms
were installed along with which 18 master trainers were
hired. Any two artisans could work on each loom.
C. Training module for Trainers
JRF designed a special curriculum that focused on
training the weavers. These weavers knew the art of
carpet weaving and through this curriculum they were
given responsibilities of training the underprivileged
and unemployed weavers of the village.
D. Training Program to the Target Audience
Once the trainers were trained, they were put on-roll to
further impart their skills to the ones who were less
equipped with the qualified skills. The training program
designed to impart skills of utilizing looms was
conducted for one year. However, during the course many
artisans had dropped out due to unforeseen reasons and
therefore, by the end of the curriculum only 32 artisans
were well-trained in carpet weaving.
E. Formation of Self-Help Groups
Self-help groups are an initiative to inculcate a spirit
of entrepreneurship among the rural artisans and
weavers. By forming such groups, they are introduced to
the concept of micro-finance and are made aware of the
schemes available with the government. These self-help
groups were formed in the Dausa district in
collaboration with Rajasthan Backward class Finance and
Development Corporation. The groups comprised of those
artisans who had completed their one year training
program. There were three groups formed namely: Shiv
Shambhu Swayam Sahayta Samuh, Mahesh Swayam Shayta Samuh
and Shiv Narayan Swayam Sahayta Samuh.
Some other activities that were undertaken by the
foundation during the year were:
• Organizing camps, seminars, street plays, film shows
and sessions with the villagers of Thanagazi on issues
like health, hygiene, sanitation awareness and other
social issues
• Generating awareness amongst the rural citizens and
other weaker sections of the society about the benefits
of micro-finance and Jeevan Bhima. |
