11 April, 2011
Three of AHCS’ handlooms have recently been relocated to the nearby village of Akolia. The first was sent to the riverside village two months ago. Since then AHCS member Santoshbai has been working nearly full time producing fabric from her home. The second two looms arrived in Akolia almost two weeks ago, after two AHCS members and their family spent over a month adding two rooms to their house in order to create enough space to house the machines. Although providing a space for the looms was not the only reason for this construction, these members’ own investment in creating such a space demonstrates their commitment to working with the cooperative, and dedication to seeking a livelihood in weaving.
This recent expansion of handloom cloth production to a village away from the Jhiri center represents an important milestone for AHCS. It reflects the Cooperative’s mission to provide a sustainable livelihood to farming that does not involve extensive travel or migration. Two of the three weavers working in Akolia are women, affirming the Cooperative’s belief that providing an opportunity for work within the home will encourage women to work as weavers with our cooperative, empowering them to earn an income on their own and find value for themselves outside of house and farm work.
Preparations for the Akolia looms, such as drumming the thread and winding the warp, will continue to be conducted by our staff at the Jhiri center. The materials will then be transported to Akolia for weaving. Finished cloth will be collected from Akolia and returned to the center for storage and sale.
We expect to see continued success from our members in Akolia, and hope to expand this model to other villages, as we build our membership base and expand the potential of our cooperative.
Three of AHCS’ handlooms have recently been relocated to the nearby village of Akolia. The first was sent to the riverside village two months ago. Since then AHCS member Santoshbai has been working nearly full time producing fabric from her home. The second two looms arrived in Akolia almost two weeks ago, after two AHCS members and their family spent over a month adding two rooms to their house in order to create enough space to house the machines. Although providing a space for the looms was not the only reason for this construction, these members’ own investment in creating such a space demonstrates their commitment to working with the cooperative, and dedication to seeking a livelihood in weaving.
This recent expansion of handloom cloth production to a village away from the Jhiri center represents an important milestone for AHCS. It reflects the Cooperative’s mission to provide a sustainable livelihood to farming that does not involve extensive travel or migration. Two of the three weavers working in Akolia are women, affirming the Cooperative’s belief that providing an opportunity for work within the home will encourage women to work as weavers with our cooperative, empowering them to earn an income on their own and find value for themselves outside of house and farm work.
Preparations for the Akolia looms, such as drumming the thread and winding the warp, will continue to be conducted by our staff at the Jhiri center. The materials will then be transported to Akolia for weaving. Finished cloth will be collected from Akolia and returned to the center for storage and sale.
We expect to see continued success from our members in Akolia, and hope to expand this model to other villages, as we build our membership base and expand the potential of our cooperative.
