In Jharkhand, India, Karuna-Shechen has launched an exciting new vocational training program for poor women from rural communities – painting on ceramics.
Ten villagers recently participated in our first free introductory course. Based on their skills, creativity, and personal interests, we selected four women to paint designs on pots that will be sold by Karuna-Shechen in various markets around Jamshedpur, the capital of Jharkhand.
Sunita during a pot painting class.
One of the women chosen was Sunita Mishra, a mother of two daughters, ages 7 and 12. Sunita is happy that they can go to an English language school, but quality education in India is costly.
Sunita joined the program to earn extra revenue for her girls’ education and their dowry. “I chose to participate in this ceramic painting program for my children,” Sunita says. “It is a very good program. Training is free and I am now able to save money for their future.”
Thanks to this program, Sunita and other participating women can earn an extra 3,000 rupees (47 USD) per month. In India, the average monthly wage is 295 USD.
“Jamshedpur is one of the biggest cities in north eastern India. We know from our research that there is a big market for such painted pots there,” explains Shamul Akhtar, Karuna-Shechen India Director.
“Unfortunately most rural women lack the necessary skills and knowledge to sell their products in big cities. Through this program, not only do we train illiterate women, we also connect them to buyers and markets.”
In Bihar and Jharkhand, our various free vocational training classes are transforming lives of hundreds of women like Sunita and her daughters. We equip them with revenue-generating skills so they can earn money and contribute to the well-being of their family and community.
February 16 2021
In 2016, members of Karuna-Shechen followed a seminar with Frédéric Laloux, author of Reinventing Organizations. Specialized in processes of People's Change, Frédéric accompanied the members of Ka...
February 9 2021
In May 2020, Karuna launched a large-scale mobilization to support those suffering from the Covid crisis in India and Nepal. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors, we have been able to de...
November 26 2020
20 years of altruism in action. 270,000 people helped each year. Ten of thousands of supporters. Karuna is a family of people united and committed for 20 years to build a more altruistic world...
November 20 2020
“One of the essential components of happiness can be summed up in three words: altruism, love and compassion. How can we find happiness for ourselves when those around us are constantly suffering? M...
November 13 2020
Back in pictures on Action for Karuna and its week of solidarity held from November 2 to 8. 65 teams and project leaders mobilized to bring altruism to life and raise funds, supported by more than 1 ...
