On this day, in the year 1998 we lost a dear friend of ours, Jane Webb. Though I only knew her for a short time here in Kolkata, her loving smile and true compassion for others inspired me beyond words. Jane, who became an Indian citizen just before she left to find her spirit, was the founder of RCFC (or Rehabilitation Centres for children). Mustard Seeds has been organizing small fundraising projects to help keep Jane's important work going strong. This is me with the statue of Jane that was put up on the RCFC grounds in Behala, in south Kolkata.
Rehabilitation Centres for Children was registered as a society on 24th April, 1973 in Calcutta, India. The aim of RCFC is the treatment and rehabilitation of orthopaedically handicapped children from underprivileged families, so that these children will be able to live a fuller life and take a normal place in the society instead of being neglected, dependent, emotionally disturbed and frustrated.
Jane was the Founder Secretary and Director of the Centre. Her vision and continuous struggle for helping the disabled children to stand on their own feet is slowly but surely realised. The seed she planted with love, care and dedication more than 25 years ago, is now a grown up tree blossoming with flowers and ever-growing branches. RCFC has taken a solid root and is now a pioneer institution in the service of orthopaedically handicapped children from deprived homes.
Jane was quoted as saying, "We bought a house with a large garden in Behala, on the outskirts of Calcutta with money donated by the German philantropic organization Christustrager Waisendienst (Aid to orphans); we repaired the house, cleaned up the garden, and started slowly. At first there was one child named Gopal from Siliguri who had lost a foot and it continued steadily after that.
Initially, we had very little idea as to how we would go about our mission or of the existing need; it was a new kind of venture for all those involved and in those very turbulent times. We found gradually that it was not always feasible to arrange for children's treatment outside the Centre; we faced too many problems as more and more children were brought to us. So, we set up an operation theatre in 1981 with attached X-ray unit. We had already been running the immunisation clinic for prevention of polio and other diseases. In 1993 our mobility aid and appliances manufacturing workshop was established. RCFC has a well-equipped 90 bedded hospital, an operation theater, X-ray unit, a physiotherapy department, a well laid out mobility aid workshop for making orthotic and prosthetic aids and a child development department which provides basic education and craft training during the treatment.
In addition to the above, there other extra-curricular activities like dance, music, drama and drawing. The craft classes include cane work and basketry, clay modelling, pottery, terracotta, mat-making, sewing, knitting, embroidery, tie-dye and batik. The overall aim of these classes is to make children develop their natural abilities and confidence. Talented children may also find a avenue for earning from the vocational trades learned at our Centre. Our involvement in various fields has increased manifold.
Simultaneously, we are expanding our activities and services to remote areas . On 23rd January, 1998, our new centre in Bolpur was inaugurated by Shri Somnath Chatterjee, MP. It was at his suggestion and insistence that the Government of West Bengal donated us land at Kalikapur where our centre stands. The Centre has been named "Miblou Jyoti Mahal" and the fund was donated by Miblou, a Swiss voluntary organization.
RCFC can be contacted at:
Rehabilitation Centres for Children
59, Motilal Gupta Road
rcfc1@vsnl.net
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Sunday, November 13, 2005
A special place...
I hold a very special place in my heart for an organization called Asha Niketan, introduced to me by Shyamali a long while back. This is the meditation room on Pottery Road in Tangra, one of two homes for learning disabled individuals that is run under L'Arche, an international federation of communities for people with learning disabilities and assistants.
At the Open House for Asha Niketan last night we got a tour of the second house which I had never seen before. When I asked if there is a meditation room in this home too, we were brought here. The batik hanging on the wall was done by members of Asha Niketan and symbolizes the inter-faith beliefs of this organization and all those involved. No matter who or what your God is, you're sure to be able to communicate here. Meditation is held two times a day and all attend. The beautifully decorated pages in the book on the stand has prayers from various holy books to inspire love, harmony and courage.
"Whatever their gifts or limitations, people are all bound together in a common humanity. Everyone is of unique and sacred value and everyone has the same dignity and the same rights. The fundamental rights of each person include the rights to life, to care, to a home, to education and to work. Since the deepest need of a human being is to love and to be loved, each person has a right to friendship, to communion and to a spiritual life".
Asha Niketan strives to make this all possible for some very wonderfully creative individuals.
At the Open House for Asha Niketan last night we got a tour of the second house which I had never seen before. When I asked if there is a meditation room in this home too, we were brought here. The batik hanging on the wall was done by members of Asha Niketan and symbolizes the inter-faith beliefs of this organization and all those involved. No matter who or what your God is, you're sure to be able to communicate here. Meditation is held two times a day and all attend. The beautifully decorated pages in the book on the stand has prayers from various holy books to inspire love, harmony and courage.
"Whatever their gifts or limitations, people are all bound together in a common humanity. Everyone is of unique and sacred value and everyone has the same dignity and the same rights. The fundamental rights of each person include the rights to life, to care, to a home, to education and to work. Since the deepest need of a human being is to love and to be loved, each person has a right to friendship, to communion and to a spiritual life".
Asha Niketan strives to make this all possible for some very wonderfully creative individuals.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
KARMYOG is what they do...
I recently found this wonderful little shop that puts your rupees to work in a most meaningful way . If you are in the market for very special greeting cards (Xmas card designs have just been put on the shelves...), wrapping papers, gift bags or boxes or any other paper products, then there is a shop at 12B Russell Street that you must stop in at.
"Karmyog" is a boutique of intricately hand-crafted paper products made by girls who have spent their childhood in welfare homes but who now have to step out in to the world to fend for themselves. The word Karmyog has two parts: "work" and "yoga" so in other words "work as a form of yoga, or path for living." The Karmyog trust offers these young women the means for becoming self-sufficient through vocational training that allows them to earn a living and lead independent and meaningful lives.
Why buy mass-produced and impersonal greetings from Archies (the Hallmark shops of India) when you can both give a gift to a friend and to a girl in need with a purchase from Karmyog?
It certainly feels like good karma to me!
Karmyog Showroom
12B Russell Street
Kolkata 700 071
9830050847
2229-5924
info@karmyog.org
"Karmyog" is a boutique of intricately hand-crafted paper products made by girls who have spent their childhood in welfare homes but who now have to step out in to the world to fend for themselves. The word Karmyog has two parts: "work" and "yoga" so in other words "work as a form of yoga, or path for living." The Karmyog trust offers these young women the means for becoming self-sufficient through vocational training that allows them to earn a living and lead independent and meaningful lives.
Why buy mass-produced and impersonal greetings from Archies (the Hallmark shops of India) when you can both give a gift to a friend and to a girl in need with a purchase from Karmyog?
It certainly feels like good karma to me!
Karmyog Showroom
12B Russell Street
Kolkata 700 071
9830050847
2229-5924
info@karmyog.org
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
ALCHA in Shyambati
This is the bright-eyed breakfast duo at Alcha, a newish open-air cafe in Shyambati, Shantiniketan. They whip up a beautifully served plate of eggs, toast and hash browns with brewed coffee in the mornings. But things turn Tamilian on the menu in the evenings. A unique little spot to hang out at.
There is also a chic little "lifestyle shop" attached to the cafe that showcases local but all-new weaves, potteries, and natural fruit drinks!
For people who come to visit Shantiniketan from the big city the mud and bamboo decor at Alcha is sure to be a soothing contrast to the developments happening in Kolkata.
There is also a chic little "lifestyle shop" attached to the cafe that showcases local but all-new weaves, potteries, and natural fruit drinks!
For people who come to visit Shantiniketan from the big city the mud and bamboo decor at Alcha is sure to be a soothing contrast to the developments happening in Kolkata.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Right now in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, SASHA shop is holding an exhibition/sale of exquisitely crafted dokra and terracotta diyas (oil lamps), hand painted candles, diyas, etc. If you happen to stop in when some of the candles are lit and flickering, you'll catch the spirit of this warming celebration.
There are two producer organizations in particular that stand out for me. SILENCE is a certified fair trade self-help movement for those who can neither speak nor hear, only visualize, and others who cannot go anywhere, except in their imaginations -- and yet who aspire towards self-sufficiency and acceptance as contributing members of society.
ASHA NIKETAN runs a workshop which creates a variety of candles in porcelain or terracotta containers, tie and dye articles, greeting cards and other items. In the open spaces around the Asha Niketan buildings, community members are also involved in horticulture. The workshop earns some revenue from the sale of these products which supplements donations for the L'Arche International community established in 1973 to create a home atmosphere for mentally challenged people.
The good work being done by so many here in Kolkata constantly inspires and amazes me.
There are two producer organizations in particular that stand out for me. SILENCE is a certified fair trade self-help movement for those who can neither speak nor hear, only visualize, and others who cannot go anywhere, except in their imaginations -- and yet who aspire towards self-sufficiency and acceptance as contributing members of society.
ASHA NIKETAN runs a workshop which creates a variety of candles in porcelain or terracotta containers, tie and dye articles, greeting cards and other items. In the open spaces around the Asha Niketan buildings, community members are also involved in horticulture. The workshop earns some revenue from the sale of these products which supplements donations for the L'Arche International community established in 1973 to create a home atmosphere for mentally challenged people.
The good work being done by so many here in Kolkata constantly inspires and amazes me.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Face Painting at Mustard Seeds Library
Going along with the Halloween theme at the library this past Sunday, our guest, artist and teacher Atreyee Dey, helped paint up Mustard Seeds' faces after a morning spent putting in seedlings into the Malancha garden space. We are celebrating Kali Puja and the Festival of Light, Diwali, in Kolkata this week.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
puja vacation
ahhhhh. we are on vacation as the festival for Ma Durga takes place in the city all around us. we visited pandals, ate street food, and met friends outside in our housing complex last night. mostly we are enjoying having nothing to do at all really.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Puja Exhibition
Puja is the shopping season in Kolkata and many NGOs organize events. Last weekend, Sept 16-17-18, the women at Ankur Kala opened up their training center for an Open House-cum-Exhibition. They invited other organizations to exhibit and sell their work too. Groups that particpated included Asha Niketan, Mass Welfare Society, Paripurnata Half-Way Home, and Indian Council of Rehabilitation & Sports for the Disabled.
This photo shows the patua folkartist Karuna Chitrakar entertaining both the hosts and guests with her beautiful songs and pictures. Ankur Kala hopes to learn about this traditional art and adopt some of the designs for their own products.
I hope this sort of networking expands and grows even stronger in the NGO sector here.
This photo shows the patua folkartist Karuna Chitrakar entertaining both the hosts and guests with her beautiful songs and pictures. Ankur Kala hopes to learn about this traditional art and adopt some of the designs for their own products.
I hope this sort of networking expands and grows even stronger in the NGO sector here.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Balia Bio-Agro Mission
The man on the right is Tarun Bhaduri, who is supporting farmers in Balia (located about 2 hours north of Kolkata) to make the changeover to organic farming. His organization is called Balia Bio-Agro Mission. The man on the left is currently working on developing herbal insecticides. At the Farm Weekends at SASHA, this group is supplying city consumers with healthy organic rice varieties, dal varieties, mushrooms, and spices.
Mr. Bhaduri became interested in bio-farming through a very personal experience. When he was hospitalized for by-pass surgery many of the farmers donated blood to keep him going. Two years later when flooding created havoc in this area the farmers turned to him for advice. He told them to work from their own stocks of seeds and fertilizers and don't go into debt. This is when they began to practice natural methods -- and once things had gone back to normal, the farmers themselves pressed for his support in bio-farming. This exercise brough out of necessity made them understand that bio-farming could bring high yields and did not damage the environment like chemicals did.
Balia Bio-Agro Mission products will be on sale on a regular basis at SASHA. It is up to consumers to decide what sort of farming they want their money to support.
Balia BIO-AGRO MISSION
( An organization for Organic & Sustainable farming and Social Welfare)
Regd. under Society Registration Act 1961 of Govt. of West Bengal
CHAKDAHA- BONGAON RD. VILL. & P.O- BALIA, DIST.-NADIA
PH.NO - 03473-248631 / E mail Id - tarun_bhaduri@sify.com
Mr. Bhaduri became interested in bio-farming through a very personal experience. When he was hospitalized for by-pass surgery many of the farmers donated blood to keep him going. Two years later when flooding created havoc in this area the farmers turned to him for advice. He told them to work from their own stocks of seeds and fertilizers and don't go into debt. This is when they began to practice natural methods -- and once things had gone back to normal, the farmers themselves pressed for his support in bio-farming. This exercise brough out of necessity made them understand that bio-farming could bring high yields and did not damage the environment like chemicals did.
Balia Bio-Agro Mission products will be on sale on a regular basis at SASHA. It is up to consumers to decide what sort of farming they want their money to support.
Balia BIO-AGRO MISSION
( An organization for Organic & Sustainable farming and Social Welfare)
Regd. under Society Registration Act 1961 of Govt. of West Bengal
CHAKDAHA- BONGAON RD. VILL. & P.O- BALIA, DIST.-NADIA
PH.NO - 03473-248631 / E mail Id - tarun_bhaduri@sify.com
Monday, August 29, 2005
CHILDREN'S BOOK
To the Local Bazaar
The market place in India is full of color and fascination for children and adults alike. To the Local Bazaar uses a village art form to illustrate a shopping trip to the bazaar by a young girl and her mother. In this book, the pata style, which traditionally uses framed pictures in a scroll that is unrolled to tell a story, has been put into a contemporary children's book format. A lyrical Bengali subtext has also been included along with the English ryhme story. Just like the market place, this book is sure to appeal to both the young and old!
(For ages 3-6; 10 pages)
Pictures by Karuna Chitrakar (patua of Medinipur, West Bengal)
Words by Maura Hurley Basu (runs Mustard Seeds Community Library/ Activity Room in Salt Lake, Kolkata)
Published by Mustard Seeds, an independent family project that supports traditional artists, and a variety of social and charitable programs in Kolkata.
If you would like more information or to purchase a book, contact: mustard@vsnl.com
In Kolkata, the book is available at SASHA fair trade for contemporary living at 27 Free School Street
The market place in India is full of color and fascination for children and adults alike. To the Local Bazaar uses a village art form to illustrate a shopping trip to the bazaar by a young girl and her mother. In this book, the pata style, which traditionally uses framed pictures in a scroll that is unrolled to tell a story, has been put into a contemporary children's book format. A lyrical Bengali subtext has also been included along with the English ryhme story. Just like the market place, this book is sure to appeal to both the young and old!
(For ages 3-6; 10 pages)
Pictures by Karuna Chitrakar (patua of Medinipur, West Bengal)
Words by Maura Hurley Basu (runs Mustard Seeds Community Library/ Activity Room in Salt Lake, Kolkata)
Published by Mustard Seeds, an independent family project that supports traditional artists, and a variety of social and charitable programs in Kolkata.
If you would like more information or to purchase a book, contact: mustard@vsnl.com
In Kolkata, the book is available at SASHA fair trade for contemporary living at 27 Free School Street
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Letter to the Editor
Something in the air
Dear Editor, The irresponsible attitude of the state government towards air pollution in Calcutta is just incredible (Govt dumps clean-air date, again, Aug 9). For how long will the government drag its feet? Until some foreign investor with deep pockets finds it uncomfortable to breathe in Calcutta? I guess not, because they don’t take the bus or auto-rickshaw. They drive into their AC rooms directly from the airport, in their AC cars over the new flyovers. How about a court ruling making it mandatory for the transport minister and the chief minister to breathe the foul air in the city by pulling the shutters of their cars down when they travel in the city? Or even better, make it mandatory for the duo to take auto-rickshaws to office every day, sitting directly across the exhaust pipe of a bus. I can guarantee that this alone will make sure that the deadline is met before the pujas.
Yours faithfully,
Gautam Basu, Calcutta
15 August 2005 / The Statesman
Dear Editor, The irresponsible attitude of the state government towards air pollution in Calcutta is just incredible (Govt dumps clean-air date, again, Aug 9). For how long will the government drag its feet? Until some foreign investor with deep pockets finds it uncomfortable to breathe in Calcutta? I guess not, because they don’t take the bus or auto-rickshaw. They drive into their AC rooms directly from the airport, in their AC cars over the new flyovers. How about a court ruling making it mandatory for the transport minister and the chief minister to breathe the foul air in the city by pulling the shutters of their cars down when they travel in the city? Or even better, make it mandatory for the duo to take auto-rickshaws to office every day, sitting directly across the exhaust pipe of a bus. I can guarantee that this alone will make sure that the deadline is met before the pujas.
Yours faithfully,
Gautam Basu, Calcutta
15 August 2005 / The Statesman
Friday, August 12, 2005
KEWPIES
When friends visited recently we took them out to Kewpie's which was started by Minakshie DasGupta, the author of Bangla Ranna: The Bengal Cookbook. Kewpie's serves an authentic Bengali meal in the traditional style using terra cotta plates and cups with banana leaves under the food. We tried an array of Bengali favorites, like dal with coconut, eggplant with yogurt sauce and fish baked in banana leaves.
FARM WEEKENDS
This is a project we are trying to start at SASHA to get small producers a better market in the city. The first one is on Sept. 2-3-4. So far, some nice groups have been lined up to sell jams,pickles, peanut butter, fruit juices, etc.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
SHIKSHAMITRA
Finally i had the chance to visit Sudeshna's school and her wonderful students at the newly named Shikshamitra, which translates into "friends of learning." We begun the day with songs and I taught two English classes using techniques I picked up in Japan. They really would enjoy any materials for the school if you can contribute. They especially need a full time English teacher!!
Sudeshna Sinha
c/o Shikshamitra
Ananda Flat 7H & 5G
116 Southern Avenue, Kolkata 700 029 INDIA
Email: sujit568@cal3.vsnl.net.in
Sudeshna Sinha
c/o Shikshamitra
Ananda Flat 7H & 5G
116 Southern Avenue, Kolkata 700 029 INDIA
Email: sujit568@cal3.vsnl.net.in
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Weekend at Ushagram
USHA means dawn and GRAM means village. Ushagram was developed as a model for rural development in india and besides beng a spiritual center based on the ideals of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo, has incorporated a variety of programs to bring self-confidence and training in alternative technologies to the youth and women of surrounding villages.
This photo shows a water filtering system which is used in conjunction with the batik and dyeing center. We also saw the jute production center, handlooms, pickle production site, vermi-composting, bee keeping, rain water harvesting and an organic herb garden.
Ushagram has asked us for help in testing the soil and water for arsenic, a common problem in rural West Bengal. They also hope that they can find new and diversified markets for their jute and batik handicrafts. They always welcome visitors and are looking forward to learning more about sustainable farming practices.
This photo shows a water filtering system which is used in conjunction with the batik and dyeing center. We also saw the jute production center, handlooms, pickle production site, vermi-composting, bee keeping, rain water harvesting and an organic herb garden.
Ushagram has asked us for help in testing the soil and water for arsenic, a common problem in rural West Bengal. They also hope that they can find new and diversified markets for their jute and batik handicrafts. They always welcome visitors and are looking forward to learning more about sustainable farming practices.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Tibetan Volunteers for Animals
Friends who recently visited Dharmsala for an extended period of time brought me back this t-shirt dedicated to animal's rights and the 70th birth celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
It is by a group called Tibetan VOlunteers for Animals (semchen@hotmail.com) and the saying on the shirt in Tibetan was translated like this,
"While we torture animals by eating meat still we are praying with our prayer wheels. This is not real Dharma, this is the style of artificial Buddha." Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok
We always need to keep striving for our ideals and values -- to be more truthful to ourselves.
It is by a group called Tibetan VOlunteers for Animals (semchen@hotmail.com) and the saying on the shirt in Tibetan was translated like this,
"While we torture animals by eating meat still we are praying with our prayer wheels. This is not real Dharma, this is the style of artificial Buddha." Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok
We always need to keep striving for our ideals and values -- to be more truthful to ourselves.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Santiniketan Development
The following appeared in the Editorial section of The Statesman, June 22, 2005
It was written by a dear friend of mine, Shyamali, who is also an active resident of beautiful Santiniketan.
Lumpen Development
Sir, The peripheral areas of Santiniketan are now dotted with housing complexes constructed either by a cement company or big-time realtors. They are owned by NRIs and Kolkata's affluent, who come here to enjoy the weekend. The housing boom has denuded the town of its water supply. And the urbanite's way of life is having an adverse impact on the simple students and rural folk.
Prostitution and theft are two major problems in Santiniketan today. If realtors have their way, Lahabandh will soon be converted into an amustemnt park for the new rich. Santiniketaan needs clean air and open space all around. And that is my appeal as an ex-student.
Yours, etc.,
Shyamali Khastigir
Santiniketan, June 12
It was written by a dear friend of mine, Shyamali, who is also an active resident of beautiful Santiniketan.
Lumpen Development
Sir, The peripheral areas of Santiniketan are now dotted with housing complexes constructed either by a cement company or big-time realtors. They are owned by NRIs and Kolkata's affluent, who come here to enjoy the weekend. The housing boom has denuded the town of its water supply. And the urbanite's way of life is having an adverse impact on the simple students and rural folk.
Prostitution and theft are two major problems in Santiniketan today. If realtors have their way, Lahabandh will soon be converted into an amustemnt park for the new rich. Santiniketaan needs clean air and open space all around. And that is my appeal as an ex-student.
Yours, etc.,
Shyamali Khastigir
Santiniketan, June 12
Saturday, May 14, 2005
World Fair Trade Day in Kolkata
MAY 14, 2005
Fair Trade Forum-India hosted a wonderful event at St. Paul's Cathedral in celebration of World Fair Trade Day. The theme for this year was "Fair Trade is PEACE." The main event and finale was a highly professional fashion show where artisan-producers themselves modeled their fashions!
Fair Trade Forum - India is a national network of Voluntary Organizations, Producer Cooperatives, Producer / artisan groups and development organizations involved in income generation activities, facilitators of fair trade, Alternative Trading Organizations, Intermediary and support services organizations and promoters of fair trade concepts etc. It is a registered national organization, a nonprofit society with its constitution and by-laws governed and managed by an elected Executive Committee; and is also a member of the Asian Fair Trade Forum sharing concerns with International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT).
PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE:
-- Producers are able to get fair-price for their produce/products.
-- Ethical standards are followed in processing, producing, marketing of produces/products.
--The producers or the buyers exploit neither the people nor the environment irreparably.
-- Dignity of the producers is upheld and the meaning and values of producer/products are shared from among the purchasers and consumers.
-- Fair Trade is promoted as an effective alternative to both aid and conventional Trade.
-- Through trading partnership, facilitate sus tainable development for the marginalized, disadvantaged, excluded producers.
-- Trading conditions are constantly watched to avoid and/or overcome the discriminatory processes and practices in the process of production and marketing.
-- Fair Trade to bring closer the (Southern) Producers and (Northern) Consumers by the extent possible by reducing the gap.
-- Fair Trade is promoted to be a mutually responsive trading relationship.
-- Fair Trade process to instill self-confidence, dignity and fair returns to the producers and reasonable price line for good quality products to the consumers.
-- Fair trade envelops social audit, a socially just and a transparent accountable trading system.
-- Fair trade to ensure economic development and social empowerment of the marginalized.
Fair Trade Forum-India hosted a wonderful event at St. Paul's Cathedral in celebration of World Fair Trade Day. The theme for this year was "Fair Trade is PEACE." The main event and finale was a highly professional fashion show where artisan-producers themselves modeled their fashions!
Fair Trade Forum - India is a national network of Voluntary Organizations, Producer Cooperatives, Producer / artisan groups and development organizations involved in income generation activities, facilitators of fair trade, Alternative Trading Organizations, Intermediary and support services organizations and promoters of fair trade concepts etc. It is a registered national organization, a nonprofit society with its constitution and by-laws governed and managed by an elected Executive Committee; and is also a member of the Asian Fair Trade Forum sharing concerns with International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT).
PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE:
-- Producers are able to get fair-price for their produce/products.
-- Ethical standards are followed in processing, producing, marketing of produces/products.
--The producers or the buyers exploit neither the people nor the environment irreparably.
-- Dignity of the producers is upheld and the meaning and values of producer/products are shared from among the purchasers and consumers.
-- Fair Trade is promoted as an effective alternative to both aid and conventional Trade.
-- Through trading partnership, facilitate sus tainable development for the marginalized, disadvantaged, excluded producers.
-- Trading conditions are constantly watched to avoid and/or overcome the discriminatory processes and practices in the process of production and marketing.
-- Fair Trade to bring closer the (Southern) Producers and (Northern) Consumers by the extent possible by reducing the gap.
-- Fair Trade is promoted to be a mutually responsive trading relationship.
-- Fair Trade process to instill self-confidence, dignity and fair returns to the producers and reasonable price line for good quality products to the consumers.
-- Fair trade envelops social audit, a socially just and a transparent accountable trading system.
-- Fair trade to ensure economic development and social empowerment of the marginalized.
A new look for Ankur Kala
A while back I posted a note about going with women from Ankur Kala to choose new bottles for the improved packaginf of their jams and jellies. Yesterday, May 14th, was World Fair Trade Day and they launched the new labels (shown here). All of the women involved worked very hard to have the sampler sets ready for this event and I know they will be hot sellers from now on. A set of 3 sells for Rs. 105
Sunday, May 01, 2005
malancha
MALANCHA is the name of our "green guerilla-style gardening" project. Several years ago this space below our flat was a huge heap of rocky rubble. With the help of some visitors and the kids at the Library, the rocks got sorted, stacked and lined. Things got a bit shabby while we were away in Japan but the garden was kept in tact and recently with the help of more visitors and new Library kids it's been resurrected! Note the nice stone stairs friends from Ireland built in the front!! After the monsoons, I am hoping things will really take off. We have a small eggplant patch doing very well in there too at the moment!
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