We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.

Stevie Wonder

Anoothi is a Team- consisting of the rural women it employs, individuals who are dedicated to its underlying vision, and crafts people from a vast artist population of India. India has a rich heritage of ethnic and traditional art. People living in every corner of India are known for some unique craftsmanship. Their skills manifest in to magnificent creations that include articles of decorations, jewelry, home furnishings and yard goods.  Anoothi organizes them, brings them under its network of Self Help Groups and conducts ‘business’ following Fair Trade norms. Thus, Anoothi is an institution that harnesses the potentials that exists and also creates new possibilities by training Self Help Groups of women.  Together Anoothi has created an empowered and aware artist community who otherwise would live and work in most dire conditions struggling to make the two ends meet. 

       Partnership between Vatsalya and Anoothi

Vatsalya is an NGO that works in the field of rehabilitation of children and health research. The interventions of Vatsalya include working very closely with grassroots level NGOs all over the state of Rajasthan.  Together with the network of these NGOs, Vatsalya works to improve the health conditions of rural people.  While we meet people for health purpose, often an issue is raised about dismal economic conditions of rural communities, especially of those people who are landless and depend on daily wages for their livelihood.  Some of these people have traditional art and craft skills, but because of lack of a support system, are not able to use their talent.  Anoothi was created to bridge this gap between what Vatsalya was advocating and what these poor rural people could afford! 

At the first stage, Vatsalya initiated a process of creating Self Help Groups of women and also men to extend opportunities to them for finding alternative means of livelihood.  Vatsalya also started bringing together different NGOs with a purpose of helping them to contribute in enhancing the lives and living conditions of poor people of their districts. Vatsalya as a lead organization then began collection of local artwork from different areas through these grassroots NGOs.  This collection is showcased and sold in local and international market by Anoothi. This is done in a manner that the maximum profit is earned by the people who do the labor of production. 

The second stage involved training and upgrading the skills of women who took a bold step coming out of the four walls of their homes to extend their role beyond that of just a housewife.   These women are members of our Self Help Groups. Each of these groups have a leader selected democratically and a constitution.  They hold monthly meetings; discuss money matters related to funds generated as a result of their savings, attend skill building trainings and produce works of art in jewellery, home furnishing and so on. As of now, we have four strong groups who are slowly but steadily moving ahead on a path of empowerment.  

Anoothi’s Workforce

Anoothi has two types of products and groups: 

a) Products made by rural women trained and employed by Anoothi. There are approximately four dozens of them at present. They make semi precious jewelry, hand bags and purses of old Sarees, cushions and so on.

b) Products made by women and men who are members of Self Help Groups created by Vatsalya for Anoothi but are working with different institutions or independently. Anoothi has a contract to buy their products from them directly at fair price. This group produces items made from Lakh, wood and camel leather. 

Members working with Anoothi are encouraged to join the Self Help Group program and avail themselves of the different facilities and services. The profits earned on the sale of their products are shared with them.   

Anoothi’s Fair Trade Policy 

Anoothi’s primary goal is Empowerment- Empowerment of those who need it and who seek it. As explained above, Anoothi works with two types of groups-One working directly with us and the other who believes in our vision and sells their products to us while keeping a separate identity.  Both groups get a fair trade offer from Anoothi.  The steps involved in our Fair Trade venture are as follows:

•  Create Self Help Groups

• Train them in skills and arts such as jewellery making, embroidery, stitching, etc.

• Pay a fair wage for training and production time

• Have the products made in regular workshops conducted under skilled supervision, if required

• Alternatively, also buy handicraft products from artisans and women who work independently

• Sell these goods through  various stores/fairs/events. 

 After paying  for their capacity buidling  and giving fair wages to the women, the profit  by Anoothi is  divided as follows:

50% of the profits are donated to Vatsalya’s Children’s Village where orphaned and abandoned children find possibilities of living a healthy, safe and loving childhood

 25% is invested by Anoothi on creating a Health Center for the women of Self Help Groups where they get medical and health care absolutely FREE

 Anoothi is a Women's Cooperative and Partnerhsips are invited!