Women on Wings social enterprise partner since March 2019
Shalom self-help group was started in 2005 to enable women, who have the full-time responsibility of running a household, earn an income.
The objective was to enable these women to strive for some degree of financial freedom to enhance their self-worth and independence within the constraints of their daily routine. The group started its life with just a few sewing machines in a small room. Training women to gain basic skills in hand and machine sewing was one of the first missions of the group. Women from the Toda community began joining the group which sparked the idea of using their traditional talent in exclusive hand embroidery on mainstream products such as cushions and bed spreads. The exquisite signature embroidery in black and red on bags, bedspreads and cushions has caught the imagination of the local people and tourists and a niche market has been developed.
Today, Shalom has turned into a social for-profit enterprise which enables women from the Toda community to strive for increased financial freedom. Shalom and Women on Wings have started joining hands in their joint mission of empowering women economically and creating a better future for the next generation.
