Kudumbashree - Success Story of Ila Bags: Recycling waste and Earning income

The issues caused by plastic and other waste products to the human beings and other waste materials to the human beings and other living things is really huge and the challenge it possesses to the earth is unpredictable. But what if we can make income out of the waste materials? Isn’t it a great idea? A group of Kudumbashree Neighborhood Group (NHG) women from Makkaraparambu Panchayath of Malappuram district of Kerala is making income out of this different thought and is succeeding in their lives. They named their unit as Ila. Through this, they are not only finding their livelihood, but also is proving their social commitment towards the society.  

Evolution of Ila Bags

Kudumbashree members from different NHGs under Makkaraparambu CDS are the strong women behind this great idea. Smt. M.P Hanshila, Smt. C.H Naseema, Smt. K.V Razia, Smt. K. Hasarabi and Smt. Murshida are the members of the ‘Ila’ micro enterprise unit who are making a difference through their different yet ‘eco-friendly’ thoughts.

Mainly they are making products out of waste clothes. They do make around 20 products like bags, cloth bags, purses, carpets etc. The idea is the after effect of a discussion- ‘Waste less Makkaraparambu’. The idea came forward through Hanshila who is also a ward member. Naseema who had learned making cloth bags by herself through ‘YouTube’ joined the group and later they made a decision to form a unit of their own. They had arranged an exhibition of these recycled bags during the Panchayath Day celebrations and they received much appreciations and that itself gave them more confidence. And later, Ila unit was launched during March 2018.

They had received a financial of Rs 1.50 lakhs from Kudumbashree Mission. Now they are receiving as many orders from different wards for the cloth bags. They collect waste clothes from households under the leadership of each CDS members. The clothes received are washed and cleaned. The hooks, zips, buttons and beads are also used while making the bags and purses for beautifying the same.

They are also making different types of bags such as school bags, hand bags, side bags etc. According to them, the bags that are made out of jeans are of high demand among the customers. Every member of the unit is earning more than Rs 6000 a month as monthly salary.

With their committed and socially committed work, Ila Bags had been bringing in positive changes in the society thereby raising themselves. It is sheer confidence that brought the micro entrepreneurs of Ila Bags to greater heights. By extending opportunities to many women like the entrepreneurs of Ila Bags, Kudumbashree Mission is giving wings to the dreams of many.