After needs assessment survey, visioning exercises, Focused group discussions and self-lead meetings by the women group on alternative job opportunities and business plan, they finally developed a plan for running the business.
After exploring so many options for business, finally they have decided to start something which is cost conscious and sustainable to them. After examining the customers, competitors, marketing strategies, finance, and resources; they prepared a detailed business plan.
The product will be the hand made cloth bags, purse, tiffin packs and the customer will be their employers, big shops in the nearby market. Some women took the responsibility of stitching, some said they will travel to Chandni chowk, Delhi to sell the product in the market as well as to buy the raw materials.
All the 25 women in the group are not able to put money in the business but they will support by helping in whatever ways. The strength of the group was seen when one domestic worker (Purni) said that “I have not enough money now” and in reply to her another domestic worker (Rozi) said that “it doesn’t matter we are a group, you support us by helping in whatever ways you want. Business is secondary but relationship is primary”.
With the business plan, the journey has not ended. The journey is still on, women will continue to support each other, they will continue to come together, they will continue to sing and stitch together.
“In 10 mahino me humlogo ne ek dusre ko bahot kareeb se jana, sabki ladai kitni kathin hai ye pata chala, humlog to ab hamesha saath hi chalengey” (In the past 10 months, we got to know each other, we all are fighting tough battles in our lives so we will now stick to each other always) said Bharti.
“Let us celebrate new year together to celebrate us” said Aklhlima (women domestic worker and field animator)