The healthcare crisis has brought a drastic change in people’s lives across the globe. Unemployment has hit almost every sector and even UNLOCK 2.0 has not brought much relief. An already troubled sector, the handloom industry is in fact going through its worst ever crisis. But there is still hope. One of DEF’s weaver clusters under its DCDP initiative, Musiri in Tamil Nadu houses more than 700 artisan families.
DEF launched a campaign #ThreadtoBread to encourage people to buy from them and extend financial support. It also gave some orders to more than 14 artisan families apart from supplying them with the raw material at zero cost. Offering them an employment opportunity amid the pandemic encouraged them to try and get back on their feet.
In the month of July alone, weavers and artisans from Musri earned a total of INR 55,000 with an average of INR 4000 per family by completing DEF’s orders. Talking all precautions to safeguard themselves from coronavirus, they have resumed work bit by bit.
Mr. Saravanan a resident of Manamedu and has a family of five dependent on him. He is currently earning INR 5600 per month by producing 4 sarees every week for us. Many families like him have also started work and are ready to fight this battle.
To support weavers and artisans like Sarayanan, you can visit digikargha.in and buy sarees and other artwork by them.