Virsā is a compassionate social enterprise commited to helping Rural Women Phulkari Artisans & their traditional Handicraft - "Phulkari". 

Specific Objective of this Virsā-Milaap Fundraiser (All Donations Starting December 3, 2019): "Gurmeet Kaur - featured in our Fundraiser Cover Photo - is a devoted Phulkari Artisan. A few days ago, She and her husband were on a motorbike when a an irresponsibly driven vehicle crashed into their bike resulting in severe injuries to both. Specifically, Gurmeet has suffered serious damage to her Left Eye, a Skull Fracture and a Shattered Jaw. The gift of Vision and Eye Health is very critical to an Artisan whose wages are dependent on what she's able to embroider. Virsa The Heritage is running this Fundraiser in order to help seek proper Medical Aid for Gurmeet and hopefully help preserve her vision. As an update, once the goal is met, we will be sharing evidence of Funds Transfer to Gurmeet to all our Donors who specifically donated for Medical Aid for Gurmeet and her husband.
Please Note: If a Donor has specific questions, please do feel free to write to virsa2017@gmail.com. Our Immediate Goal is Indian Rupees 50,000 (USD 700) and Stretch Goal is Indian Rupees 100,000 (USD 1400). 

Learn More About Virsa:

Virsā actively works with 45 such Rural Artisans spread across villages in the Patiala-Nabha region of Punjab, India. We aim to (1) Revive the dying craft of Phulkari (2) Enable and Empower our Phulkari Artisans to get a Fair Value for their hard work (3) Create a Sustainable, Profit Sharing Community-based Approach (4) Help whenever our Artisans are in need of Emergency Health and Medical Services, or other such Needs as they may arise

Due to the advent of Machine-Made Embroidery, these Artisans & their livelihood is at significant risk. Phulkari is not just a source of income for them, it's also central to the cultural heritage of South Asia. Some tapestries can take anywhere from 2 months to Several years to Embroider!

Help run Health Care and Awareness workshops around Plant-based Nutrition, Culinary Coaching, Recipe Development and Cooking Demonstration - all in an effort to promote non-inflammatory, oil-free, dairy-free cooking with an emphasis on seasonal vegetables and fruits. Unfortunately, traditional cuisine is being rapidly replaced by convenient and easy to buy 'junk food' and chronic conditions such as Insulin Resistance, Pre Diabetes/Diabetes Type II, Cardiovascular disease, Arthritis, Thyroid dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease etc are on the rise. 

Help Phulkari Artisans purchase better quality Thread, Cloth, Stencils, Wooden Embroidery Frames and Needles to practice their craft more efficiently and effectively

Every work has its occupational hazards. Phulkari Artisans suffer from increasingly diminished vision due to minute needlework and poor lighting conditions in the Villages. Funds raised will be used to set up Vision Check-up Camps and provide Optometrist support to the Artisans. Similarly, another common hazard is Spondylitis and Musculoskeletal issues of the Back.

Furthermore, Virsā intends to extend its support to Women’s Health & Wellness issues. Example: Our younger rural artisans do not even have access to Sanitary Napkins/Pads etc. Or, some may still use “Neem Datun” instead of Toothpaste & Toothbrushes.

Fundraising Timeline for Current Fundraiser to Help Artisan Gurmeet: From Dec 03 2019 - Until January 31, 2020. 

To know more about Virsā, it's Founders and its Activities - please visit us @ www.virsā.com and/or https://thevirsafoundation.org. Or Follow us on Instagram at thevirsafoundation and virsatheheritage. If you would like to support our efforts OR visit our Artisans, please write to us: virsa2017@gmail.com.