Creative Handicrafts exists in Andheri, a northern
suburb of Mumbai. Strongly committed to the fate of helpless women in mumbai and
determined to work with them to organize themselves effectively, Sister Isabel
found herself, back in 1984, with her companion sisters in Shree Ganesh Krupa
Colony, Jogeshwari East, very close to Achanak Colony. Soon they befriended the
slum dwellers and were able to identify their shared common concerns and hopes
for a better future. Over time it gradually dawned upon them that the next step
had to be action! ‘How can we help ourselves?’ The seed of hope and
independence had been sown… Hidden talents were about to be discovered. In a
spirit of solidarity they began to learn the art of making soft toys and soft
furnishings for the home that could be sold.
Several innovative projects were launched around three axes:
1. Community development program; 2. Economic development program; 3. Capacity
building program. In addition, a food catering and delivery project, Asli Foods,
was born as an employment alternative to those women that, for several reasons,
cannot get involved in sewing activities.
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