Situation of the women

The traditional skills of weaving and knitting have given the women in the region around Almora economic and financial independence, dramatically improving the lives of the female population of the village. From 1998 to 2000, women from every single village between Almora and Binsar learned these skills and so were able to radically change the way they earned their living: until then they had relied on more laborious and less economically productive ways like agriculture and livestock.

With the kind support of the Danny Kaye and Silvia Fine Kaye Foundation it was possible to build a weaving centre or to create crèches and primary schools. Essential medical services for the region have also been created: the foundation stone of the hospital was laid in 2000, and in October 2002, the hospital itself was opened.

The cooperative employs over 800 women today, giving them social status and earning them respect from the village men.

Today, the women weavers are an interest group with political power, which has helped women to claim their rights for the first time and to influence local politics. Currently, a further 800 women are being trained in different traditional and contemporary skills, enlarging the network of economically self-sufficient women in the region each year.

Creating an infrastructure

The main weaving centre is in Almora. Around 300 women from the surrounding villages work here. The women bought a bus a few years ago, which they painted with beautiful mandala motives, and which picks them up from their villages every morning and brings them back in the evening. In addition to the weaving centre in Almora, there are two further smaller centres nearby. The women who live too far from Almora are given the opportunity to work from home.

Education

The increasing economic independence of the women has raised the question of childcare during working hours. Thanks to the kind financial support of the Danny Kaye Foundation, crèches and primary schools have been built and teachers have been employed.

Today, around 1000 children attend the different schools. There are 5 primary schools, a middle school, and a high school for girls which, to date, is in a dilapidated building. Extra-curricular activities are also offered. The women weavers have started teacher-parent associations in every village.

Heath services - leprosy rehabilitation centre

In 1992, the organisation, Jan Jagaran Samiti, founded a leprosy rehabilitation centre in the town of Almora.

With support from the ministry of welfare and the German Leprosy Relief Association an infrastructure was created to offer support to outcast lepers from as far away as Kumaon and from bordering Nepal and to teach them how to weave, giving them the opportunity to achieve financial independence. Doctors and nurses were also employed.

Today, 52 adults and 13 children live in the centre. There are 3 workshops, a clinic and several living quarters.

Today, all of the children in Almora go to school. The adults are some of the best weavers in the area and not only make a financial contribution to the centre but also help the village women to learn about traditional weaving.