Livelihood Trainings & Income Generation Programmes

Livelihood Trainings
Providing alternative and new livelihood options to people was one of the main programmes of QSSS in the last reporting year. Society is offering several training programmes in the reference area from 2005 onwards in association with coir board and Jan Shikshan Sansthan. As a part of the Tsunami recovery programme, society in partnership with Functional Vocational training Forum, International Labour Organisation offered training programmes for the youth in alternative employment schemes other than fisheries from 2006 onwards. A total of 663 are been trained and placed in various firms in and around Kollam.

Functional Vocational Training Forum
In a period of depleting resources at sea, the youth is attracted to other sources of income and hence society in association with FVTF was offering vocational training in highly employable trades from 2006 since onwards. In the reporting year 120 youths were trained in Plumbing, Aluminum Fabrication, Mobile Phone Repairing, Tailoring & Embroidery and Electrician. The project was completed in the reporting year and a total of 218 youth benefited the project.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme
Entrepreneurship is the skill required to make any income generation programme successful and hence society in association with Jan Shikshan Sansthan and Coir Board continued to offer the EDP training programme this year also. 170 women’s were offered training in book binding, dressmaking, embroidery and bag making. A total of 3075 people benefited the programme till the report year.

Lace Making
The term “Renda” – from the Portuguese word “Reinda” – refers to the pattern or ‘pillow lace’ made on a pillow. This is known thus because a stuffed pillow is used as a stand on to which a small stuffed wooden roll is fixed in the middle. The weaving is done by intercrossing the threads, allowing the design to take shape on the roll.

“Renda” or Lace work is mainly found in the Southern parts of the Country. This craft was first introduced by the Portuguese in the middle of the sixteenth century and then developed by the Dutch in the middle of the seventeenth century. This craft is practiced mainly by women. This thriving craft provides a steady source of employment for young and old. This craft is appreciated and patronized by locals and by foreign tourists.

Along with the introduction of this craft in the southern parts of the country, western styles of dress and fashion had also become popular. Lace-work is most commonly used to embellish the boarders, necklines, and sleeves of ladies’ garments. Embroidery and lace work was mainly done in Eravipuram, Changanasserry, Kottayam, Pala, Parashala, Thrissur and Kannur. The finished products dominantly comprise items for household use like curtains, bedspreads, furniture covers and dress material. The women in Eravipuram, Kollam, Kerala also do delicate crochet work and spider fine lace embroidery. This craft came into existence in and around Kerala with the arrival of the Portuguese in India. Since then, the craft has spread, and is a vocation for people of this region. The fine craftsmanship in this tradition is displayed in attaching patches of needless work, woven flowers in lace and net patterns with gossamer fine thread. At times lace is embroidered onto curtains, bed spreads or dress material, showing off the magic of deft fingers. Hand embroidery is also done with shadow work and colorful flower patterns and cut out motifs. Embroidery is done on linen and sarees also.

Now the ‘Renda’ making is becoming extinct in Kerala as well as Indian contexts and it is still continuing as a source of subsidiary income to the people especially of women in Eravipuram in the of state of Kerala. Considering the demand of the product and valuing as an alternative source of income to women, the State/ Central Governments and Agencies foster the craft ‘Renda’ making, besides the involvement of NGOs. .

Provisional store Kureppuzha
SHG federation of Kureeppuzha unit is running a provisional store. This programme is initiated by the support of RASCOB foundation of USA, with a view to strengthen the inland fishermen community through alternative livelihood activities. Under this scheme SHG federation of Kureeppuzha started a provisional store. The initial investment for the project was Rs.1, 50,000/ of which Rs.12000/- mobilized as beneficiary contribution. Now they are getting Rs.3, 000 per month as income
Rural Mart
It is a permanent venture for exhibit and sale SHG products, artisan, handicraft, and agri based products. This effort is funded by NABARD with a view to strengthen the activities of SHG’s and help them find new markets for their products. The shop has placed in maharani shopping complex, Kollam. We have offered space not only to our SHG’s but also to other NGO’s and organization that are worked for the empowerment of women and deprived sections.

Details of vocational trainings organized in 2010-2011