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CHARITY WORK
143
October14
With so many deserving charities
calling out for help, it’s inspiring
to hear about an Indian-based
organisation determined to self-fund
its initiatives through the talents of
the very people it aims to help.
L
adli is an outreach programme
of i-India, an NGO established in
1993 that turns around the lives
of impoverished and severely
disadvantaged children who would
otherwise have little chance of getting
ahead. Working on a shoestring, Ladli is
determined not to rely on charity, but rather
to prove it can be a viable business, while
training, paying and equipping participants
for a bright future.
Ladli started out small, selling the
jewellery and handicrafts made by its
participants at fairs and exhibitions. But
through support in Singapore and Norway,
it has expanded to the point where it
now produces clothing and jewellery
under contract for retail and wholesale
companies.
Filling retail and wholesale orders not only
reaps financial benefits, it achieves Ladli’s
aim of empowering and educating the
young adults andmothers at four vocational
training centres in and around Jaipur, the
capital of Rajasthan. As well as opportunities
to earn a fair wage, participants have
access to formal education, counselling
and medical care. It’s a win-win situation for
some of India’s incredibly poor, marginalised
young people who started with nothing.
Skil ls for a
By Katie Roberts
SECURE
FUTURE