CherYsh Entrepreneur Projects

Empowering Women Through The Community Kitchens

Empowering Women Through Community Kitchens

Launched in 2013 in partnership with Roviralta Foundation, ten years later the manifestation of this program has reached well beyond our expectations and led to new partnerships during this period with Taj Hotels, Akshaya Patra, EID Parrys, Murugappa Group, Selco Foundation, and Buzz Women India. The CherYsh Community Kitchen Program harnesses rural women’s culinary skills to generate income through home-based enterprises. This initiative enables women to support their families and keep their children in school.

Participants from Haliyal received training in food hygiene, business management, and finance through classroom programs facilitated by Buzz Women India. They also gained practical insights through visits to the Taj Gateway Hotel Kitchen and the Akshaya Patra community kitchen. These visits exposed them to best practices in large-scale cooking, packaging, and hygiene.

In partnership with EID Parrys and Murugappa Group, the program secured daily food supply orders for cafeteria workers. Over the past decade, the initiative has transformed the lives of hundreds of women, offering sustainable livelihood opportunities in the Haliyal region.

The Community Kitchen Program continues to empower rural women, turning their skills into sustainable livelihoods while fostering independence, financial stability and keeping their children in school.

Agro-based (Nurseries & Fertilizers)

In September 2013, CherYsh Trust, in collaboration with EID Parry and the Murugappa Group in Chennai, initiated an Agricultural Program designed to empower rural women in the Haliyal region of Karnataka. EID Parry, the largest sugarcane employer in the area, employs many local farmers. Recognizing the interest of these farmers’ wives in pursuing agriculture as a livelihood, CherYsh proposed a partnership that would create economic opportunities for them while meeting the company’s need for sugarcane buds.

Key Components of the Program

Sugarcane Bud Nurseries & Organic Fertilizers:

CherYsh women, primarily the wives of local farmers, were trained in Chennai by the Murugappa Group, to establish and manage sugarcane nurseries.
These nurseries supply sugarcane buds to EID Parry twice annually, ensuring consistent demand and income for the women involved.
Vermicompost fertilizers, which are organically grown are supplied to local farmers.

Skill Development:

Training programs were conducted to equip women with technical knowledge and operational skills.
Women were empowered to independently manage their nurseries and fertilizer production, from planting to harvesting and delivering sugarcane buds.

Extended Impact:

Over ten years, the initiative has prevented economic vulnerabilities like bondage and debt burdens, transforming the lives of rural women by fostering financial independence and entrepreneurial capabilities.

Diversified Contributions:

Beyond sugarcane buds, Vermicompost production led to developing organic fertilizers which further deepened the partnerships and offering additional income avenues.

Program Achievements (2013–2023)

Empowerment of Women:

Rural women have become significant contributors to the local economy and key players in the sugarcane and fertilizer supply chain.

Sustainable Livelihoods:

By building successful agricultural enterprises, the women have established a reliable income source and avoided bondage and debt.

Social Impact:

The initiative has fostered community resilience by addressing economic vulnerabilities and encouraging financial independence among rural families, which in turn allows children to remain in school.

Conclusion

The CherYsh Agricultural Program with EID Parry and the Murugappa Group has exceeded expectations in its first decade. It has not only ensured a steady supply of sugarcane buds and organic fertilizer for EID Parry but has also become a model for rural development, empowering women and fostering sustainable livelihoods in the Haliyal region.

Apparel based

In September 2013, CherYsh Trust launched its Clothing Program focusing on wool shawls and stoles in collaboration with the “Hundred Hands” Foundation. This initiative was designed to empower rural women skilled in tailoring and knitting, enabling them to create a sustainable business in the retail clothing industry.

Key Features of the Program

Focus on Handcrafted Products:

The program centered on producing high-quality hand-knitted woolen shawls and stoles, leveraging the craftsmanship and creativity of rural women.
The products were designed to appeal to both regional and national markets.

Entrepreneurship Development:

Rural women were equipped with the skills to manage production, marketing, and sales.
Over time, they established a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, gaining recognition for their products.

Market Expansion:

The women participated in regional clothing fairs, including events in West Bengal, showcasing their products to a wider audience.
Their hand-made woolen products gained popularity, expanding the program’s reach across the country.

Social and Economic Impact:

The success of this initiative has provided women with financial independence and enhanced their social standing.
Profits from the clothing business have been reinvested in the CherYsh Shikshas after-school program, ensuring educational opportunities for their children.

Achievements (2013–2023)

National Reach:

The hand-made shawls and stoles have become well-recognized at fairs and among consumers nationwide.

Sustainable Livelihoods:

The program has enabled women to establish a steady income source, contributing to their families’ well-being.

Empowered Women:

Through entrepreneurship, rural women have become self-sufficient and gained confidence in their abilities.

Intergenerational Benefits:

The program’s profits have directly supported children’s education, creating a ripple effect of empowerment.

Conclusion

The Clothing Program, in partnership with “Hundred Hands” Foundation, exemplifies the power of combining traditional skills with entrepreneurial training. Over the past decade, CherYsh women have successfully carved a niche in the retail clothing industry, transforming their lives while securing a brighter future for their children through education. This initiative has become a benchmark for integrating women’s empowerment with sustainable social development.

CherYsh Entrepreneur Program

CherYsh Skilling & Entrepreneur Program

Training Women for Sugar Cane Entrepreneurship in Haliyal

What People Say

I started as a junior Shiksha facilitator at CherYsh Trust and later became a computer facilitator. Despite initial challenges, training equipped me to teach computers to students, many from tribal communities. Teaching them requires patience. I’m grateful to CherYsh for bringing the program to this remote village. The villagers have embraced it, providing all the necessary support.

As a proud eShiksha program parent, I’m thrilled to see my daughter, Soumya’s, incredible progress. Before joining, she had no computer or technology experience. Now, she’s confident and skilled. Watching her work and enhance her tech abilities daily is wonderful. I’m fortunate Soumya had CherYsh’s eShiksha program.

In a small classroom, the eShiksha program began. Initially unfamiliar with computers, the children learned basics in a fun way. They used mice and explored Raspberry Pi tools for educational software. As weeks passed, they mastered tasks like typing, creating digital art, and coding simple programs. Their excitement grew as they discovered technology’s endless possibilities. CherYsh, a life-changing force in our villages, made this possible.

Initially unaware of computers, I assumed learning MS Word and Excel would suffice. However, CherYsh offered more than that. I discovered coding and computing, which ignited my passion. Seeing the LED light up after successfully coding filled me with pride and joy. I’m grateful for this chance to learn and grow.