IND/08/031 - Basket making programme for the sustainable development of rural poor women in drought-affected villages

Objective: Basket making programme for the sustainable development of rural poor women in drought-affected villages. To provide self-employment scheme for women, victims of drought and famine and improve their socio-economic conditions.

Background: All of the beneficiaries are familiar with basket weaving skills. However, they will be given some instruction in new designs, patterns and new developments in basket weaving, bamboo dust pans, and bamboo grates. Bamboo is widely grown on the outskirts of rural villages and nearby forest areas so there are plentiful materials. There is no problem about selling the products as local families need bamboo products; there is also a weekly village market and wholesale dealers willing to purchase the products. All the women are encouraged to save some of their earnings. Each woman will repay Rs 250 a month to the organization which is deposited in a special fund in the bank. At the end of the year, this amount plus interest will be used to help another group of needy women in another village.

Use of Funds: The funds will be used for purchase and transport of truckloads of bamboo, tools and implements (cutters, knives, etc.), raw materials, colours and brushes.

Beneficiaries: 30