Kochi: After leaving its imprint in diverse areas including construction and driving, the Kudumbashree Mission has now extended its assistance to vulnerable communities like migrant labourers and transgenders by forming self-help units among them. The first of the self-help unit for migrant labourers has been formed at Kandathara colony in Vengola gramapanchayat of Ernakulam district.
“The aim is to provide full-time job opportunities for women members of migrant families. The only condition is that they should have ID cards after registering with the local police stations. We’ve initially give them training in jobs such as stitching and making handicraft items. We’ll also soon conduct ‘North Indian’ food fests with dishes made by them,” said Tanny Thomas, district coordinator, Kudumbashree, Ernakulam.
However, the Mission encountered a minor drawback during the first training session for the migrant labourers unit held on January 28 last. “The members are hailing from different states and hence speaking different languages. We’ll now form small groups of those speaking the same language while seeking help from organizations to teach Hindi to all of them,” Tanny said. The self-help group for transgenders has too been formed in the district.
“The group of 28 members of the sexual minority community will undergo skill training programme at the Rajagiri College. We’ve earlier worked out a pact with the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd to provide them jobs in Metro,” she said. Meanwhile, the Kudumbashree Mission has decided to form self-help groups for elderly persons and physically handicapped too, as part of diversifying. “The aim is to increase the membership of self-help groups to 50 lakhs,” the official said.
