Kudumbashree - Success Story of Navam Tailoring Unit

Stitching and earning income: Success Story of Navam Tailoring Unit

Navam tailoring unit of Enadhimangalam of Pathanamthitta district of Kerala was established during the year 2014, when four young enthusiastic women decided to utilize their talent and effort to generate income for their families’ well-being. Smt. Preethi Mohan, Smt. Bindhu Chacko, Smt. Sreeja and Smt. Lizzie Eapen had undergone a stitching training session organized by the Enadhimanglam CDS. They met there and soon bonded well which made them realize that they can form and enterprise together. The CDS also welcomed their initiative and supported them in all ways possible. The CDS facilitated to get a loan of Rs 10,00,000 from the Co-operative Society. With Rs. 10 lakhs they rented out a shop and bought sewing machines and other basic infrastructure.

Once the tailoring unit was setup they started exploring their opportunities. They travelled far and wide to buy raw materials and in search of buyers for their garments. Soon they got an initial order for bulk readymade clothing’s from a well-established store in Pathanamthitta. The picked up standard high-quality fabric from a cloth mill at Erode at the lowest price. They made night gowns, baby clothes and inner-wear initially and sold it to the stores as per the order. They started picking up pace and soon and started repaying their loans. The products were accepted and appreciated by all which made the unit bag more orders.

 Unfortunately, a bulk order from a well renowned store got cancelled due to some petty reasons and the unit had to suffer a great loss. They were in debt of nearly Rs. 16 lakhs at that point of time. Everything started falling apart the orders became lesser and even if they got orders they could not fulfil it as they lack fund to purchase raw materials. They had no other choice but to sell all the garments they had with them at cheap rates. They even started door to door marketing. But still the loan became unbearable and they were at a verge of shutting down the unit when all four of the unit members sat-down and decided to not let go of their effort. They started to work overtime it brought about a change in revenue but still not enough to pay off the debts.

That was the time when District Mission team intervened, after seeing their hard work and determination, awarded them with an order to stitch 100 uniforms for the DDUGKY at a cost of 475 each. They also were provided with the crisis fund and later the second dosage. One order lead to another and then another. Then there was no looking back. Till date they have fulfilled numerous orders including uniforms for lottery, hantex, anganwadi, Haritha-karmasena, Asha workers, MGNREGS workers, DDUGKY. They also get garment work orders from various stores. They also make cloth bags and big-shopper bags. They even take bulk wedding/bridal costume orders and for events. Anyone can now make out a confident smile on their faces which owes to their hard work. They are now working out different marketing strategies. They are able to get bulk orders from various agencies which are to be completed in a short span of time. They also had opportunities to display and sell their products at various Melas conducted by the District Mission. The debts started to clear of gradually and only Rs 6,00,000 the current loan outstanding.

The unit has also entered into a joint venture with the Enadhimangalam CDS to make the panchayath a ‘Thayyal Gramam’. This venture aims in training the aspirants in the panchayath and nearby panchayath in a 33-day long course fully organized and funded by Kudumbashree Mission, with 35 participants per batch. 5 new tailoring units were formed from the first batch. From the trainees 11 participants were given employment by the unit itself. The employees get a wage of Rs 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 per month according to their quantity of work. Sreeja, a unit member said, “Rachel, one of the employee cried with gratitude when she received her first month’s wage. She is the only earning member of the family, struggling to meet the needs of the family. I too was in tears because I felt proud to be a part of something big. I never thought I could make a difference in someone’s life”. She says.

The president Preetha added that their goal now is to procure latest machineries that can be used to stitch spandex mixed polyester or Nylon fabrics to make most demanded product like t-shirt, leggings, baby garments etc. They are also planning to buy a printing and computerized embroidery machine so that they can save on the outsourcing they are spending upon now. One of employee Deepa has offered to give the unit a plot which has a building on lease, so they can also cut down on the rental expenses. Recently they received a work order from Shuchitwa Mission to make 5000 cloth bags for Sabarimala. They underwent a tender process and got the order competing with major pioneers in the field. They proved all the onlooker that things work out the best for those who make the best out of the work out.

The success of this enterprise could be considered as an epitome of unaltered will power and confidence. With a gradual yet steady growth, they had proved that belief in their selves could take anyone to greater success.  They had therefore proved that anything is possible if one has the courage and strength to follow their own dreams.