Some of you have heard me share the story of Babusona, a young man from one of the slum communities who works with Kiran. He joined Kiran Social Enterprises, a micro-enterprise programme of Kolkata City Mission, as a master tailor. Over the years, he became skilled in working with cotton, jute, canvas, rexine, and leather. But when business slowed down for a while, we simply couldn't pay our workers on time.
We even had to pause our handmade jewellery studio, which meant the women who depended on that income were left without work. We kept three men on to see if they could produce jute bags to sell in the market, hoping it would eventually bring the women back into action too. They made beautiful bags and other products, but we struggled to sell them. Without a steady income, Babusona found it harder and harder to get by. Then, one day, he left without a word.
We were worried about where he would end up. Given his past struggles, we feared he might fall back into trouble. Looking for other work, Babusona ended up at a small hotel, washing dishes and cleaning floors for twelve hours a day, for very little pay. Almost six months had gone by, and then one day, he came back to see me. "Sir," he said, "I'm sorry I ran away. Where I was working, they treated me badly and barely paid me for the work I did." He asked if he could return to Kiran, even if it means there is no business right now. He told me he would rather work hard here, with us, than end up anywhere else.
I couldn't turn him away. I said to myself quietly, This is what charity is meant to do: forgive people, help them find their footing again, and build them back up. Everyone deserves to live with dignity.
And here's the beautiful part: the very week he came back, we received a small order for jute bags, just enough to cover his wages.
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Kiran Social Enterprises is a small company for poor women who seek to come out of financial burden which would otherwise force them to be a slave for many odd jobs. The women who work with us are really happy for the dignity they earn from this work place. They make various products out of used materials. They are very skilled in turning old sarees into jewelries, Old newspaper into beautiful gift bags, or eco friendly pens for daily use. Some companies from Mumbai and Denver have placed orders for various products and these women are working hard to meet their targets. We expect to employ more women as the market expands. Please visit our website for placing an order or for any further queries www.kiranse.com
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16 women successfully completed their tailoring course in the previous academic year. When Kolkata City Mission started this tailoring center with the help of Partnership World Wide 2017- 18, many women living in the slums had no idea that this institution would one day grow up and that they would get a certified course which would add value to conduct their own business. Sumi is one among these women who completed the course successfully and entered into the marketplace for her business. She took fabric from the wholesale market and began to produce night gowns to sell in the market. Soon her husband joined her to help take these products to the market. Right now she has four markets where she sells her products regularly. She also gets retail customers who come to her home to pick up these products. Within a year she managed to employ four more people to manage her business. Now Sumi is a proud owner of a business through which she can make a decent income.
Sumi is one among the four ladies who started her business right after the tailoring school. The rest of them have similar stories to tell. Most of the women who went through the tailoring course are self-employed and work from their homes. 2019 -20 batch has already started with 12 women who have been really inspired by the women who have already finished their course. They have decided to study with us with a goal to achieve financial freedom. These projects will surely set people free from financial constraints.
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