Sunder Rang

Sunder Rang

Sunder Rang

Chandelao, India

Impact

Sunder Rang, initiated in 2007, aims to empower the residents (mainly women) of Chandelao Village and preserve traditional arts and skills. Sunder Rang employs artisans for sewing and stitching, utilizing their creativity to design the pieces showcased at the Art & Craft Center. It has also united women from different castes, fostering collaboration and breaking down barriers. It’s a small but significant step in a positive direction.

This initiative has created numerous job opportunities for the rural women of Chandelao. They receive training in designing, stitching, crafts, and other traditional techniques to produce high-quality handicrafts. Additionally, Sunder Rang brings together women from various communities to work as a team, and it also trains and mentors youth with disabilities.

A portion of the income generated from this program is shared with the artisans, while the remainder goes towards the development and expansion of the project.

35
community members directly benefitting
500
community members indirectly benefitting
.

Critical Need

The women expressed a need for alternative economic opportunities. Traditionally, they had limited options and it was nearly impossible to bring women from different castes together to work as a team. Sunder Rang addresses this need by offering a learning space to enhance skills and foster growth. It provides fair wages to artisans, primarily women, ensuring a stable income source and empowering them economically.

Our Involvement

Sunder Rang’s partnership with Planeterra has significantly enhanced its capacity and market connectivity. Planeterra has organized workshops at the Sunder Rang center to improve communication skills, storytelling, and tourism experience development. Additionally, Planeterra provides online mentorship and access to learning resources.

The training program has helped participants better understand their roles in delivering visitor experiences and expanded Sunder Rang’s outreach to a larger network.

Travellers visiting Sunder Rang can learn about the center’s journey, participate in a bracelet-making demonstration, and enjoy a hands-on handicraft experience.

This program aims to scale up Sunder Rang’s production and involve more community members, providing them with technical skills and supplemental income. The initiative also seeks to broaden its market reach through various platforms and networks.

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Anoothi India

Anoothi India

Achrol, Jaipur, India

Impact

Anoothi India is a social enterprise for women, by women, serving as the livelihood component of the Vatsalya Society, an NGO dedicated to social development. “Anoothi” means unique and extraordinary in Hindi, and the goal is to make these women aware of just how ‘Anoothi’ they truly are.

With support from Planeterra, Anoothi is adding more tourism experiences to its offerings. Travellers can now join hands-on block printing workshops, diving deep into local culture through a textile experience led by women from marginalized communities.

110
community members directly benefitting
500
community members indirectly benefitting
.

Critical Need

Women who are survivors of violence and from marginalized communities need opportunities to empower themselves. Anoothi equips these women with skills for gainful employment. With direction, support, and training in vocational and life skills, these women achieve financial independence, live with dignity, and provide for their families.

To create more income opportunities, Anoothi ventured into the tourism industry. To successfully host travellers and offer meaningful community experiences, the community needs funds to build new tourism facilities and improve existing infrastructure.

Our Involvement

Planeterra supported Anoothi with a grant to address their immediate needs and enhance the experience for both hosts and travellers. These funds will be used to improve the space, creating a comfortable environment under a beautifully designed shed. With an upgraded walking path, toilets, and benches, travellers will undoubtedly enjoy their time at Anoothi.

The grant will also help Anoothi India upgrade its screen printing unit and equipment, gradually incorporating this activity into the tourism experience. Due to a lack of infrastructure, they have not been able to expand this activity on a large scale.

Travellers visiting Anoothi can participate in a hands-on block printing experience, offering a deep dive into the local culture through a textile workshop led by women from marginalized communities. Not only do travellers get to interact with these women and learn about their experiences, but they also gain insight into this fine craft. They can observe the intricate techniques and browse through some of the products created.

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Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Zoológico Mágico

Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Zoológico Mágico

San Martin de Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico

Impact

This newly formed cooperative was founded by 13 women who aspire to foster growth and generate employment opportunities for women and youth through art. Their primary objective is to preserve the Zapotec culture and the cherished artisanal process of creating alebrijes, a local cultural heritage.

Their workshop is a haven of fantasy and art, where they breathe life into various animal creatures they can imagine. Each piece is meticulously crafted with their own hands, skillfully combining vibrant colors that enhance the beauty of the wood.

 

18
people directly impacted

 

108
women indirectly benefitting
Zoológico Mágico
.

Critical Need

San Martín Tilcajete is a town located in Oaxaca famous for the woodwork created by local artisans. The main piece of Art in the wood workshops is the famous Alebrijes, which are wooden figures that represent different animals of the Zapoteca culture and some of their legends, there are approximately 150 alebrijes artisans.

The alebrijes are a big part of the Oaxacan culture and preservation from generation to generation is very important. Nowadays a lot of different people around Mexico create copies of the original alebrijes and they are sold everywhere, the artisans in San Martin are having a hard time generating enough income and the value of their art has gone down according to the market prices.

Our Involvement

Planeterra has been working together with the women of the Zoologico Mágico association to find out what are the most pressing needs to be able to host travellers. They needed a bathroom for visitors, as well as to finalize the process of registering their business. Now they are fully registered and have brand-new bathrooms.

Through this partnership, we also connected Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas Zoológico Mágico to travellers who are now able to experience the Zapoteca culture and the making of alebrijes. This additional revenue will increase their income so they are able to grow as a community.

Aso

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DESA

DÊSA

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Impact

The sustainable income generated by travellers will allow for DEŠA to expand the reach of its community and women’s projects. The ripple effects from visitors will be felt throughout the organization and the communities in which they work. From improving rural employment to empowering female entrepreneurs, DEŠA will be able to continue providing opportunities for those who have been left marginalized in their community.

7
people employed
21
community members benefitting

Critical Need

Founded during the homeland war, DEŠA was born when a group of locals from Dubrovnik partnered with refugees and made a small handicraft business. Now, they continue as a women’s centre which provides victim support while acting as a centre of cultural preservation. From the beginning, the founders of DEŠA knew it was important to not just provide emotional support for fellow women but to connect them to meaningful work that would make them feel empowered. In anticipation of tourism’s return to Dubrovnik, DEŠA provided computer and language courses so women could have the opportunity to take part in what was to become a booming tourist economy. Through selling handicrafts made by women across the country, and providing tourists with the opportunity to learn about traditional costumes, weaving, and cooking, DEŠA is contributing to the sustainable and inclusive development of its communities.

Our Involvement

Through our Partnership with DEŠA, Planeterra will be providing a small grant to assist in capacity building as well as training and collaboration in developing a new cultural experience for travellers. Planeterra also facilitated a partnership between G Adventures and DEŠA, which means a consistent stream of travelers gaining insight into DEŠA’s mission and experiencing traditional Croatian culture, all while providing sustainable income for the organization’s community work.

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çöp(m)adam

çöp(m)adam

Ayvalik, Türkiye

Impact

çöp(m)adam offers regular work to 10 women in Ayvalik, with all members working in a healthy and hygienic environment in the shop or at home, and being paid a fair wage. With guaranteed regular employment, members of this social enterprise are able to make significant contributions when it comes to providing sustainability for their families and communities.

10
women employed
40
community members benefitting

Critical Need

çöp(m)adam started as an experimental project in Western Turkey addressing the issues of women’s employment and the importance of recycling/re-using. It aims to utilize waste in a creative, aesthetic, and unique way. A group of Turkish women have created one-of a kind accessories using waste materials that puts glamour into recycled goods. “çöp” means “garbage” in Turkish; “madam”, the same as the French word for “female”. “çöp(m)adam” (Literally “garbage ladies”) is symbolic of this meaning – taking garbage and turning it into something fashionable and fun.

Our Involvement

Planeterra worked with çöp(m)adam to connect the social enterprise to a customer market, helping them to expand their customer base and benefit more women working in impoverished communities in Turkey. When travellers visit the workshop during a trip to Turkey, and purchase their products, they are directly supporting the women that made them.

Planeterra helped ensure guaranteed revenue streams by having G Adventures’ purchase a tote bag for every traveller that visits, supporting the growth of the enterprise and promoting plastic reduction for travellers.

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Esencia Andina

Esencia Andina

Cusco, Perú

Impact

Planeterra provided a $10,000 grant to launch a small women-owned business called Esencia Andina based in Cuzco, Peru. This women owned-business produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for use by travellers, porters, and cooks on the Inca Trail. 

This initiative is empowering young Peruvian women to start their own businesses and also lessen negative impacts on the Inca Trail – helping to grow a green economy and preserve this treasured destination. All of their products must receive sanitary registration by the government of Peru in order to be sold to the tourism industry on a wide scale. All Inca Trail, Lares Trek, and Amazon trips with our travel company partner G Adventures use these biodegradable products.

6
women employed
24
community members benefitting

Critical Need

Approximately 500 people (tourists and trekking staff) begin the Inca Trail Trek every day. This huge volume can leave behind more than footprints. Not only are plastics a problem but also non-biodegradable soaps and shampoos that can leave behind chemicals that pollute the land and the water in the area. Protecting the natural environment for future generations is a priority that cannot be ignored.

Our Involvement

With a $10,000 grant from Planeterra, Esencia Andina registered as an official business, and was able to scale the sale of their products, vastly improving their market access and making their business viable. Planeterra also connected Esencia Andina to one of our travel industry partners, G Adventures, who is their biggest client. This partnership provides this women-run business with a sustainable monthly income and credibility for them to increase their client portfolio.

After less than one year they had more than 15 hotel and travel company clients in Peru, growing each month. The success of Esencia Adina has inspired other tourism companies and government organizations in Cuzco to become more environmentally responsible.

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Moshi Mamas

Moshi Mamas

Moshi, Tanzania

Impact

Give a Heart to Africa (GHTA) welcomes approximately 30 women annually into their year-long school program. By connecting the graduates of the school with a primary consumer market from the tourism industry, the makers of the Moshi Mamas and Lala Salama Spa can create a full-time income for themselves and their families. Transport, a platform to speak about the work of Give a Heart to Africa, and a market link are provided through Planeterra’s partnership with G Adventures. Proceeds from the sales help support the women-owned-and-run businesses and school, allowing more women to access free education.

30
women employed
600
community members benefitting

Critical Need

Gender inequality is still very much felt in Tanzania. Things are changing, but when it comes to educational opportunities, girls are still often passed over first compared to their brothers or male cousins. Only 5% of girls finish secondary school. Education for adults is expensive and as many males in the family control the income of the household, many adult women have limited chances to invest in their own education and the well-being of their family.

Our Involvement

Planeterra partnered with a free, women-only, adult business school named Give a Heart to Africa (GHTA) in 2015. GHTA provides a year-long curriculum in Business Management, Accounting, and English. Top graduates (based on drive, need, and grades) are provided seed-funding to start their own businesses. Planeterra funded and supported businesses launched by graduates that serve the tourism industry, as the town of Moshi where the school is located is a  popular destination for travellers hiking Mount Kilimanjaro. Businesses supported include a handicraft maker’s studio and shop, called the Moshi Mamas Cooperative, as well as the Lala Salama Spa.

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