CRAFTS WORKSHOP

Saturday 14 th October 2006

Over a hundred women from the neglected sections of society participated in a Crafts workshop organized by the Society for Consumer Protection & Environment (SCOPE) at the CHHAYA - ‘The Shelter' , a Training Center for women today. The workshop was conducted by a Delhi based Pottery Expert, Mrs. Monica Gautam. Mrs. Gautam interacted with the participants and demonstrated how drab looking earthen ware could be made attractive and colorful with the help of simple paint, plaster of paris and other decorative material. Mrs. Gautam, also spoke about how the women could not only beautify their own homes by using these simple and cost effective techniques but also showed how the women could make it a source of earning livelihood. She talked about case studies and gave examples of different Banjara women who were earning and meeting all their household expenses out of this business/profession. She also suggested that at the initial stage SCOPE could come forward to help support the marketing efforts of the ladies who take this up as for earning their livelihood.

This program was conducted as a part of the Women Empowerment Program that has been initiated by SCOPE. Chhaya - ‘The Shelter' is being run by SCOPE in order to help marginalized women to get financial security. Chhaya- ‘The Shelter', has been conducting such skill enhancing activities on a regular basis. Many programs such as health and social - awareness camps have been conducted at Chhaya in the past, as a part of our social out-reach program aimed at community participation.

The Craft Workshop today was greatly appreciated by the participants, guests and community members who greatly benefitted from this learning experience. The guests included Ms. Teja Kaul, District Development Officer, J&K Women's Development Corporation (WDC), who appreciated the activity and encouraged women to come forward and empower themselves with the help of such activities which SCOPE has been conducting. Also present were Educationists from schools and University of Jammu.

They urged the Chhaya team to organize more such training workshops for the marginalized women for which we are committed, as a part of our Empowerment of Women Program.