INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Hope is what keeps you alive and kicking in troubled times
As Manipur is picking up the pieces after four months of ethnic violence, an organisation has come up with an idea for sustainable
livelihood for the internally displaced people staying in makeshift relief camps.Since May 3, the ethnic strife between Kukis and Meiteis
has left 175 dead and at least 1,108 wounded.More than 4,700 houses have been burned, rendering thousands of people homeless.The Khangabok
relief camp in Thoubal district houses 210 people
It is one of the five relief camps across Manipur where the violence-hit people, especially the women, are learning how to make amigurumi
entertainment brand, dedicated to inspire and instil confidence in a generation of children around the world.Photo: DIPR, Manipur
governmentMother of three children, Laishram Geeta Leima, 36, is one of the trainees pinning her hope on crocheting for short-term
She had fled her village in Sugnu Awang Leikai in Kakching district when it was attacked by armed miscreants on May 27
Problem is compounded with having to look after my kids
been visiting relief camps and training those who are interested in learning the craft
It provides them with detailed templates, tools and raw materials
Agom Sangeeta Leima (48), another resident from Sugnu whose village was attacked on May 28, says the training has boosted her confidence by
showing her a way to overcome financial challenges
of the five characters, conceived as the first line of the global amigurumi doll brand
directorate of information and public relations (DIPR), Manipur government
Photo: DIPR, Manipur governmentDoll artist and master trainer, Utpala Longjam claims that the program was going on pretty well
Most of them [trainees] knew the basics
Once they become comfortable with the needle, the crochet and the patterns, we would be providing them with the cotton yarns for the actual
have lost heart and home as well as near and dear ones
We wanted to do something for the people back home to help rebuild their lives
We were brainstorming what to do
We wanted to do something very sustainable
And that is something we wanted to take leverage of
We realised that we can create something creative
Then the idea of dolls came and eventually narrowed down to crochet dolls
And these dolls are not mere dolls
Most proceeds will go to the dollmakers.Besides 1 Million Heroes, several private enterprises are conducting livelihood activities training
The Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) under the state government has also organised different training programmes, such as
making of incense sticks, disinfectant like phenyl, detergent, liquid dishwash, paper bags among others
