Dear Reader,

I hope this message finds you well.

As you may know, I've been working with Punarnawa Crafts for the last three years and since last December I am also a Global shaper from Bhubaneswar hub. As a part of the hub intiative I have pledged to sustain and engage minimum of 50 women and 10 men this year by giving them free skill development training. The training would be provided by my co-founded venture Punarnawa Crafts (www.punarnawacrafts.org) for free of cost. In order to empower them for having assured income and be independent, I am raising Rs.6,48,000 (six lac forty eight thousands only) or 10642 USD towards the stipend payment of 15 women and 4 men artisans on a 3000 INR or 50 USD/ Month basis for an year.

We as an organization are working in marginalized areas where the means of livelihoods are insufficient. The unabated conflicts and frequent natural disasters make it one of the most impoverished places. Due to which we started to train women who were small farmers, contract labours, housewife and young college going girls. This place is now home to people like Rashmita who, in spite of all challenges are determined enough not only to keep the tradition of centuries alive, but also travel far and wide one day to take Applique to the world. Punarnawa is the story of such women.

Due to last year cyclone our artisans and small farmers at coastal belt had incurred a great loss. We need to restore their faith in the traditional practices and prevent migration. I remember when I was recently in the field, and I met Lavanglata deedi. She told me her experience after she left Punarnawa, her family and her small son, in search of assured income to Bangalore and joined a textile factory. After hearing her story I realized how important it is to give them secured working environment and prevent them from such harassment. As we move forward, I hope you'll join our hub movement as we look to empower more women like her and in parallel revive the village economy.

With your support we aim to create a movement where artisans like Rashmita, Lavanglata and small farmers would find a sustainable and dignified living. For every Rs. 30055.00 (USD 500) contribution we give a hand woven/ applique' laptop sleeve which will be symbolic of your patronage. For any contribution below that and above 300 USD you can have a video conferencing with our trainees. Our training project starts from 1st July. 2014.

To know more about us find us at:
Blog: http://punarnawacrafts.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PunarnawaCrafts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PUNARNAWACRAFTS
Global Shaper profile: http://www.globalshapers.org/shapers/subrata-pandey

With Gratitude
Best,
Subrata