This is the story of seven years in Kolkata. Where friendships with people in the slums have grown, and women are empowered through a fair-trade project – ConneXions Vocational Training Center. In this they experience the love of God.
We came to Kolkata in September 2001 and were warmly welcomed by our team members Sal and Gregg from New Zealand. They helped us to settle in and with many practical things of daily life. The sad news was that on the day of our arrival, they told us that they had lost peace about living in the city and that they had decided to leave in about three months. What a shock to us!
After a while, we decided to join the team of another mission organisation. It was a good move as we started to meet regularly with their team and build friendships with expats. Nevertheless, our wish was to welcome more Servants people in the city, but we had to wait about five years before three women arrived, which was great!
The Person of Peace
Jaya’s story is amazing! She grew up in a slum hut right in front of our door step in heart-breaking circumstances. She lived with her Grandma and little brother. Their father had left them and the mother worked and lived 2,000 km away. We met Joya when she was 16. Even in the first few days, she came across as a very friendly and open-hearted person. She wanted to do something in her life. Together we found five more young women like her in similar situations in our neighbourhood. ConneXions got started!
Today Jaya is married, has a 14-year-old daughter, has finished college and has become the manager of ConneXions. She is doing an excellent job! Her involvement in ConneXions had a huge and positive impact in her live. She was even able to move out of the slum!
The Story of ConneXions
The work at ConneXions is focused on empowering women from three local slum communities. Income generation through dignified employment is the cornerstone of the work. Women come to ConneXions and are taught skills or utilise existing skills, to produce beautiful high-quality products. The income they earn helps them to become increasingly self-sufficient. Their confidence and self-esteem grow as they are empowered to improve the quality of their lives and those that depend on them.
ConneXions Kolkata is more than a training centre. It is a small business with a big heart. It is part of a much larger NGO called Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta. EMC is a movement of people who believe that each individual has intrinsic value and deserve respect and dignity. They have many different projects around the city and we are proud that ConneXions is one of it.
Women in the local slum communities have minimal options. Poverty has marginalised them from wider society and robbed many of educational opportunities. Marriage at a young age and a life of poverty is all many see in their future.
Women in this strongly patriarchal community, are generally not allowed to work outside of the home. Their husbands are generally low skilled casual workers. Families face many social issues which impact upon their ability to thrive and change the prospects for the next generation.
History of ConneXions
2002
A team of six women from the local slum community, lead by Markus and Katharina from Switzerland, began handmade card and paper bag production. Jaya Mondal a young woman from the Mollahati slum with great potential also begins work.
2004
ConneXions becomes its own independent business unit and moves production to a locally rented premises.
2006
ConneXions is strengthened by becoming a part of Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta (EMC). Bapi Bag takes on co-leadership of the business with Jaya Mondal.
Kantha Sari blankets become a new product line. Connexions has grown with 40 to 60 women sewing sari blankets and making cards and paper bags. There are now three office staff – Bapi, Jaya and a tailor master. The first children’s club is started with 24 children in attendance.
2007
The current building is purchased. It is directly opposite the Mollahati slum community. This allows for further expansion.
Sari bag production starts. There are now four support staff running the business. At the end of 2007, Markus and Katharina return to Switzerland but stay connected encouraging the Indian based leadership team.
2012
ConneXions breaks 50 Lakh (USD $80,000) turnover and begins to significantly start to co-finance EMC projects among the urban poor.
2016
The school uniform tailoring initiative is started – the first batch of women receive training. In partnership with EMC, a micro-credit programme is started. Five women borrow 10,000 Rupees each to purchase a sewing machine and offer alteration services and dressmaking to the wider community.
2017
There are currently 65 – 80 women involved in Sari blanket production, 13 women making cards and 13 focused on Sari bag production. The children’s club continues – with regular weekly meetings and 65 children involved.
Fair Trade
ConneXions – Kolkata exists for the empowerment of women. ConneXions cares deeply about all the people who work with them. ConneXions chooses to pay fair piece rates for blankets and cards that are produced by women working from their homes. They base this on the time it takes an average (speed) producer to make each item. They adhere to government regulations regarding minimum wages and where ever possible they pay more. The bags producers are now being paid a monthly wage, including holiday pay.
The Sari (Indian traditional dress)
ConneXions buys recycled saris, sews five layers together, creates blankets (single bed, double bed, king size bed), purses and bags.
Pastoral care
The leadership of ConneXions are four strong local Christians, who believe that this job is God’s calling on them. Their hearts’ desire for the women is to grow closer to God and to have more stability, freedom and self-confidence in their lives. ConneXions is a place of refuge for the women and they get blessed with friendships and better lives.
ConneXions also loves to gather everyone together for voluntary monthly meetings as well as fun outings and a Christmas programme each year. A Bengali pastor couple is involved every week for women’s meetings with worship, biblical teaching, prayer and counselling. The pastors wife has a special gift of healing and so many healings and miracles have happened. Many of the women have started to thrust God in their daily lives and many have started to pray to Jesus.
A Bengali church near ConneXions is welcoming them each Sunday evening for a service.
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