Chardep -Livelihood Promotion

CHARDEP - LIVELIHOOD PROMOTION

Following the widespread devastation caused by the tsunami in coastal areas of Kanyakumari district, CHARDEP undertook interventions to not only restore normalcy but also bring about an overall improvement in the quality of life for vulnerable communities. Our approach has been to ensure that socially and economically vulnerable groups – such as fishing communities, non fishing coastal communities and women could participate fully in the process.

CHARDEP-SERVICES

Women Empowerment

Relief & Rehabilitation

GAU DHAN (PROVISION OF MILCH COWS)

This project was implemented with the support of BAPS Care International, which is a nonprofit international charity organization committed to sincerely serving the world by caring for individuals, families and communities. The beneficiaries were families from non fishing communities depending on the sea in other ways than for fishing. This includes communities that traditionally are sea shell collectors or coir rope makers. 250 high yielding cows with calves were provided along with a months supply of high quality feed and support for constructing a proper shelter for the cow. This project benefited the people immediately as from the first day they had nutritious milk for the family and surplus to be sold. This income was the only source for many families for several months having lost their livelihoods.

click to zoom

RESTORATION OF COIR ROPE MAKING EQUIPMENT

BAPS Care International provided the support for rebuilding the livelihoods of coir rope makers in Kanyakumari district. As the tsunami had washed away both the equipment used to make coir ropes as well as the stock of raw material, the industry, an important one of Kanyakumari district, was at a standstill. 136 families from 18 priority villages were provided new equipment as well as coir to last them a month.

RUBBER SLIPPER MAKING UNITS

After the tsunami, none of the fishermen did venture into the sea for fishing. Firstly they had lost most of their craft and for those whose craft had been spared, the psychological trauma was too much for them to resume their occupation. CHARDEP realized that the best way to help families generate income was through the womenfolk.

click to zoom

Training in rubber slipper making was provided in coastal villages through the District Rural Development Agency. Next, with financial support from Excel Crop Care Ltd., and BAPS Care International, six Rubber Slipper Making Units were established in Muttom and Kadiapatnam villages.

click to zoom

MICRO PROJECTS FOR LIVELIHOOD RESTORATION

With support from CARE – INDIA, micro projects were undertaken for livelihood restoration in Melamanakudy village in Kanyakumari district. These projects were establishment of units for Fish Pickle Making and Seashell Handicraft Making. Women who had already been organized into Self Help Groups (SHGs) by CHARDEP, benefited by this project.

click to zoom

Training For Handloom Weavers

CHARDEP was selected to provide training for handloom weavers in Kanyakumari district by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, under the Decentralized Training Programme for Handloom Weavers. As handloom weaving is an important occupation in Kanyakumari district, the programme was extremely beneficial as it helped 20 handloom weavers to upgrade their skills and equipment.

click to zoom