Madhu

Ever since the lockdown, all the women in my area were feeling helpless! We had no work and used to wonder what will finish us first – the virus or hunger? I’m an artisan and the leader of handicraft CIG (Common Interest Group) of Taat Embroidery in a village of Kachuana Block, Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh. It became my aim to provide or figure out a way for the women of our rural communities. We have been finding ways to contribute meaningfully to safety efforts amidst the current pandemic while parallelly looking for opportunities to provide a livelihood. Hence we decided to manufacture 1 Lakh protective face covers by capacitating rural women in need. These women, who used to make intricate embroidery or shibori are turning their hands to making face covers.
I always wanted to bring a better opportunity for my community. In the process to help others, I managed to encourage nearly 25 women around me. I used to regularly head out, visit these women and train them to make the face covers while simultaneously monitoring the quality, maintaining production record and keeping regular checks on the availability of raw material. Our group made 40,000 masks in the first 45 days and have managed to earn Rs. 4700 each at a time when there was hardly any income. During the lockdown, all our orders got cancelled! I was sad about the condition of women who used to work with me. Today, it gives me immense pleasure that I could help them train and earn in such hard times. This journey of mine isn’t limited. I wish to donate the face covers to people who cannot afford to buy them. This way, I will be able to help people fight this pandemic.