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Cheque or Draft
Donations can come in the form of drafts or cheques in the name of
“Auroville Unity Fund / Smallsteps”
To be sent to:
Upasana Design Studio
Auroshilpam, Auroville
T.N, India - 605101
Donor Manual
You can take a small step to make a big change. Join the campaign to replace plastic bags and create job opportunities for women in rural areas. By donating just Rs 100 to the Small Steps campaign, you can sponsor the production of one bag. That one bag is produced by a rural woman who is microfinanced and trained through the Small Steps program to sustain an independent livelihood. That same bag can then join the thousands of bags given every year to school children throughout India, free of charge. Through each child, entire families and villages can learn to replace plastic bags and combat litter and pollution throughout India. There is no contribution too small to this project, and every dollar goes towards promoting a more environmentally and socially just world. Please read below for more information on how your donations can support Small Steps.
What We Want to Achieve
- Each reusable bag has the potential to replace hundreds of plastic bags.
- We plan to make 10 million bags.
- This would create 1000 jobs for 1000 rural women for 1000 days.
- This would prevent 2 billion plastic bags from being dumped.
Your Support Allows Us To
Empower Rural Women through Training Programs
Every bag is produced by a rural woman who is microfinanced and trained to sustain an independent livelihood. After an initial one-week workshop, rural women receive a loan from the Small Steps program and are able to purchase a sewing machine and begin producing bags. As well as learning a valuable craft, our three layer training program intentionally focuses on building the self-esteem of these women over a period of six months. The eventual goal is to make them project and community leaders. In a climate where women rarely produce income or take on entrepreneurial roles, you can sponsor the training of one woman and begin a cycle of women’s empowerment in rural communities.
Sustain a Cycle of Independent Livelihood
Each woman receives a loan from the Small Steps microfinance fund. This loan allows her to purchase a sewing machine, and the Small Steps program and training gives her the means to pay it back. This system not only gives rural women the skills to maintain a livelihood, but also the tools. As each loan is repaid to Small Steps, it is also recycled; the money goes directly back into the microfinance fund and is used for another woman in another village, continuing the cycle of independent livelihood and economic sustainability.
Educate Children, Families and Communities
Education is a high priority for Small Steps. Through presentations to school children throughout Tamil Nadu, Small Steps representatives are planting the seeds of environmentalism. SS bags and corresponding activity books are handed out at each presentation, so that children become aware of the alternatives to plastic, and they are encouraged to spread the message throughout their community. Small Steps is committed to providing free bags to every child who sees this presentation—your donations make this possible.
Contribute to Our 2009 Projects
Small Steps welcomes all contributions. For 2009 we have several key areas where we would appreciate your support.
Increasing our Training Programs
This year we wish to train 200 more rural women. The cost for training each woman is Rs 3,000, or approximately 50 euros. By sponsoring the training of a rural woman, you can help us to achieve this goal.
Microfinancing 200 Rural Women
Each woman receives a loan of Rs 5,000, or approximately 75 euros to purchase her sewing machine. We need your support to maintain the resources to finance 200 more women.
Educate 5,000 Children
In 2009, we plan to show the Small Steps presentation to 5,000 children. This means we need 5,000 bags sponsored. If you would like to sponsor the production of a bag we recommend donating Rs 100, $2 or 1.5 euros per bag.