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Employment > Awards > N.C.P.E.D.P. - Shell Helen Keller Awards 2000

Maximising Employment to Serve the Handicapped (M.E.S.H.): Marketing hope

Maximising Employment to Serve the Handicapped, or MESH as it is better known, provides opportunities for disabled people, especially those affected by leprosy, to be rehabilitated in order to support themselves.

This goal is met by Training or re-training disabled people to produce goods suited to their capabilities; by guiding in the selection of what will sell best; by assisting in obtaining raw materials; by maintaining quality control; by paying promptly for goods to ensure a smooth cash flow and working capital for continued production; by guiding village industries in preparing cost sheets to include a fair wage for artisans; and by securing orders with the aim of providing full-time employment.

MESH buys products from already established groups (leprosy colonies or rehabilitation workshops) and markets them through the MESH shop, sells them wholesale to institutions and even exports. In the ten years, MESH has marketed handloom and handicraft products, as well as, poultry successfully, both in India and across the world.

Its handloom and handicraft sales have shown a significant increase over the last year – 51% increase in exports and 14.5% increase in domestic sales. Its earnings for the year 1999-2000 were: Retail – Rupees 18,68,483; Institutional – Rupees 1,43,922; and Exports – Rupees 44,77,087.

Apart from marketing products, MESH also takes a special interest in women’s development. All three leprosy colonies, with whom it works closely, have their own savings and credit schemes.

Several income generation activities have been started in Anandgram. In Amarjyoti Leprosy Colony, four women have been trained in making necklace Kits, while Bethany Leprosy Colony, A.P. has been asked to make shoe fresheners to be exported to Britain.

In an imperfect world, the effort MESH puts in goes a long way in making a big difference.

Tel: 011-656 8048; Telefax: 011-696 5039
E-mail: mesh@del6.net.in

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