The Income Generation Unit works with the following missions

• enable women become financially self sufficient

• develop skills of underprivileged women and girls through training programmes to make them opt for alternative livelihoods

• enhance savings through livelihoods

About Livelihood

With the belief that access to financial resources is one of the key pillars to women empowerment, the traditional crafts based income generation programme began in 1990. It began to work primarily with Kantha - the traditional embroidery form of this area. It then expanded its range to manufacture soft toys and accessories. In 2006, garments were also added to the list of products.

Village women and girls, victims/survivors of violence mostly neglected by their families, are imparted training on tailoring, embroidery and soft toys making. After training, these women either join the production or work from home to earn a living out of it. . However, the artisans are not bound to work at the centre after training; in fact most leave and find work outside. A few in the soft toy department have formed their own production group “Amader Swapna” --- a trend we encourage.

Jeevika’s Traditional Crafts-Based Income Generation project has catered largely to the Fair Trade market based in the West, which has contributed significantly to the growth of the Unit.

We promote a healthy and cooperative relationship between co workers and the organization, and aim to convey to women not only the value of independent income generation and sustainability, but also that of self respect and ensuring their own rights.

Items produced

Garments- Kurtis, dresses, tops, kimonos, dress cum long tops, scarves, shirts, skirts, trousers, palazzo, and sarongs

Bags- Jholas, botuas, purses, totes

Decorative and gift items- greeting cards, diary, diary holders, pen/pencil bags, pen/pencil stands,

Children’s gift items - various shaped cushions and soft toys

Home decors- Wall hangings, hangings, cushions, dinner table sets, wall organisers, table mats

Miscellaneous- Shower caps, toilet bags, thread bangles, accessories

Items are also produced as per orders

JEEVIKA means "Livelihood" in Sanskrit. The organization aims to bring rural women from low-socioeconomic backgrounds together in self-help groups to create projects that will:

1) empower them within their local communities and 2) generate an income for them. There is also a micro-loan program. Our focus is on high-quality tailoring and traditional Kantha stitch embroidery as the main part of the vocational skills training program.

In addition to its products like various tailored garments, embroidered items, soft-toys, and other items, besides this, Jeevika also develops a unique collection of hand-embroidered greeting cards, or what we say JEEVIKArds. These are an example of an ancient ethnic embroidery form (from the Bengal region) called Kantha. Traditionally, women would take old scraps of tiny running stitches to create a picture from their imagination. The cards are made similarly - thousands of tiny running stitches create a pre-traced design. Some are western designs, and some are ethnic motifs. Each card is a complete work of art that looks beautiful framed.

JEEVIKA is looking for individual volunteers and shops to buy or help sell the cards and other handicrafts (especially around the holiday season). Samples can be sent if you are a shop that is interested in selling the cards. If you would like more information on how to sell, please contact us at: jeevika.joka@gmail.com

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

You can help JEEVIKA maintain running costs, provide programs to empower rural women in West Bengal, and create new markets to sell their products. Please check the items that apply to you.

If you would like to make a one-time or regular donation, please do get in touch with JEEVIKA by email or post.

JEEVIKA specializes in

· Hand-embroidered handicrafts

· JEEVIKArds (suitable for framing as a gift)

· CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS and other Christmas accessories

· HANGING ornaments

· LOOFAH sponges &

· any other CUSTOM-MADE orders:

To order products or enquire regarding pricing, kindly contact us at: jeevika.joka@gmail.com

Our Product Catalogue