Community Ownership and Development - Towards Sustainable Livelihoods!

An exposure visit on candle making to Umed Organisation at Vasai as a part of the income generation program was conducted on the 27 th January 2018. Umed is an organization designed especially for the empowerment of Differently Abled persons and through guidance, the children themselves generate income source for their families. Mr. Rajesh Pereira the resource person for the program explained the different types and shapes of moulds which are used for making candles as well information on raw materials required in the process. He also gave a demo of the same. The exposure visit gave the group an opportunity to come together as a group and enhance their creativity and talents through innovative techniques in candle making. Towards the end of the programme, the 6 people who participated in the programme learnt the method to use wax formula and are keen on making candles for an income.

On 17 th October, 2017 a training session on  candle making skill was held at Our lady of Lourdes, Pali. The resource person Ms.Mahima Selvi led the session. The women who participated were earlier selling candles locally with simple and common shapes and sizes. Even the materials they used were too expensive for them. The training session organized by CSA at CCO level helped them learn six new, different and creative styles of candle making. They learnt how to make mini lamps(diyas) and candles with different molds. The resource person provided her own supply of raw materials required during the session and gave each women a chance to practice on their own. The techniques demonstrated in the session were simple, interesting and easy to grasp. She informed them of locations nearby where they could purchase the same materials at a much affordable price. This initiative will go a long way in making the women financially independent and improving their standard of living. ...