NSVK

1. Education Project

The literacy ratio was found to be very low in Malwani. Due to continuous temporary and permanent migration, ignorance about the merits of education and high drop out rate because of poverty, majority of population in Malwani remained deprived of basic education.

NSVK started its Education Project in Malwani area in 1996.We started a five fold programme as under:

* Balwadis.
* Drop out prevention classes
* Development classes
* Non formal education classes
* Adult education classes

As already planned, over a span of 7 years, we helped the community to get involved with the project, trained the teachers from the community itself and handed over the entire functioning of the project to them in a stepwise manner. In 2004, the Education project started by NSVK became totally self sustained. The funds required for the operations were provided by NSVK on a one time basis. Presently, around 200 students are being benefited by this project.

* 2. Art and Craft Workshop [S. M. Creative]

In 1996, NSVK started an Art and Craft workshop to help needy women from the community. Women with a flare for craft got daily wages through this platform. The products were exported to Switzerland. Gradually, the workshop was also handed over to a capable woman from the community – Ms.Sanjida Malik Today, it is a thriving business, providing support to a large number of women from the community. S.M. Creations, as it is known, also trains women from the community in stitching and craft.Partof the profits are used to train 40 women in a year for a six month course in sewing and stitching. A survey is done to identify really needy women from the community. This class is also used as a common platform to train them in various issues such as health,sanitation,gender equality, education and self sustenance etc.

Right from its inception, NSVK has firmly believed in supporting people to support themselves. We strive hard to stand by those who utilize this opportunity to benefit themselves.Sanjida Malik is one such woman, who, by her achievements, has made us proud.

Sanjida comes from a humble back ground where education for girls is not a prime concern. She studied up to 5th std. and then tried to pass S.S.C. directly but did not succeed.

Eventually, like any other Muslim girl,Sanjida got married and had 2 sons. Her sad saga started when she gave birth to a girl child. The picture became bleak; with she not even allowed feed her child. With exemplary courage,Sanjida walked out on her husband, and with her daughter and one son, returned to her parents.

At this juncture, she came in contact with NSVK and started working in their stitching class in 1996.After one and a half years; she was promoted as a supervisor. After 3 years, she did a Para professional course and moved on with life.

However,Sanjida had not forgotten her roots. When she heard that the stitching classes were discontinued for some reason, she approached NSVK and expressed the desire to shoulder the responsibility.Mr.Shridhar Kshirsagar, Director of NSVK stood firmly behind her in setting her classes and also got her export orders to export various  articles to Switzerland. In 2001, the art classes were started again with Sanjida in charge.Gradually, ensuring that Sanjida was able to manage the project on her own, NSVK shifted it totally to her care.Today,S.M.creations is a feather in our cap.

Then there was no turning back.Today,Sanjida is a proud owner of a micro enterprise with a strong foundation.S.M.Creations have permanent orders from Switzerland and hers is a 1005 EXPORT BUSINESS.Sanjida owns a spacious workshop in Malwani and a flat in MHADA complex,Malad.

But the story did not end here.Sanjida started her stitching classes .She takes 2 batches of 10 girls each and teaches them a 6 month course in stithing.Before admitting the girls, a detailed survey is done to ensure that girls from economically weaker section are given preference.Besides,stitching,various resource persons are invited to conduct workshops on health and hygiene,nutrition,TB awareness, importance of financial independence etc.The objective behind it is to spread awareness and make maximum girls financially independent with a skill that can be used from home.Sanjida does not charge anything, and also provides all the necessary material to the girls. Part of the profits from her workshop is used for this noble task.

Sanjida ensured that her younger siblings got education. Her younger sister, Shehnaz, has done her M.B.A.and takes care of the financial aspect of the business. It is Sanjidas firm resolve to make available every opportunity to her children and get them the best education.

Sanjida’s work has been recognized by many organizations. She was felicitated with the prestigious Citi Group Fair Trade award -2004,by Finance Minister,P.Chidambaram.She has also been crowned as one of the 15 Unsung Heroes by The Hindustan Times.Sanjida was also felicitated by the Rotary Club.

4.Under events,include the following,