
Saath Livelihoods
ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP
Location : Gujarat
Partner Since : 23-05-2015
Founder : Rajendra Joshi
About Saath
Saath Livelihoods aims to improve quality of life of vulnerable urban and rural populations through enhanced livelihood options.
RWeaves is a branding and marketing program for high quality hand-woven products launched by Saath Livelihoods, with the aim of sustaining traditional arts of weaving, and to establish an exclusive, high-quality brand of hand woven products with the objectives of reviving the use of Tangaliya and Patola fabrics and making the livelihoods of the rural weavers/ artisans sustainable. RWeaves supports the artisans by organizing weaving workshops, development of new designs and products, and by supplying small loans.
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While speaking about her first experience with weaving, she recalls how her father had been reluctant to teach her. But being the only girl with five brothers did not have any bearing on Manju Ben who was determined to learn the craft and so she would hurry through the day’s chores and join her father in front of the loom every night to watch him work. Sigani village where she lived with her parents was famous for its Tangaliya craft; the fine workmanship evident in the exquisite shawls that her father wove.
For all his reluctance, he taught her well. Today, she works on complicated patterns without anyone’s assistance. She also supervises her brother-in-law’s work and is helping him improve his weaving skills. “She is a much better weaver than I am, ” said Hasu Bhai of his wife who mainly works on stoles.
Evaluated By : Tanvi Negi
/evaluation/microcredit/india/gujarat/manju-ben-parmar/61618
During his youth, he used to pick cotton for a living but eventually learnt how to weave. At 45, he has more than 12 years of experience weaving fabric from cotton and silk threads and is now training his son to follow in his footsteps.
With a keen eye for detail, he creates his own designs incorporating attractive motifs in beautiful colours. When we visited his workshop, he told us that one buyer was so fascinated by an exquisite shawl with elaborate dana-work (knots formed out of yarn) that he offered him Rs.1 lakh for it. However, Chandu Bhai was not to be parted from what was going to be his entry for a handloom award and politely turned the gentleman down by telling him that it was priceless and therefore, not for sale.
Evaluated By : Tanvi Negi
/evaluation/microcredit/india/gujarat/chandu-bhai-rathod/61619Partnership Summary
Total No. of Loans | 22 |
Total amount disbursed | Rs.1,520,000 |
Expected repayment so far | Rs.1,056,111 |
Amount repaid | Rs.1,056,111 |
Amount delayed | Rs.0 |
Amount defaulted | Rs.0 |