ankuri

2003	Self Help Groups form from four villages, with the aim to encourage the local women to develop sources of income. An informal knitting program begins on demand and a ten woman group starts
2004	Through April and May a small in-house training program for the knitters. Concepts of quality control and deadlines explained. Raw material provided to make a small stock readied to be sold in the alternative market. The Knitting Program expands to include more women. In November products sell informally in the alternative market.
2005	In January, participate in local craft fairs in Delhi. Successfully sell the hand knits made by the women groups. Fifty women from the self-help group participate in a training program in weaving, dyeing, embroidery and spinning with the Khadi Gram Udyog, a Government of India undertaking for Cottage Industries.
2006	In May, first order from Fabindia to make mufflers, caps and stoles for adults and children. Fabindia is a major retail giant with more than 50 stores across India and abroad. They source their products from grassroots artisans. www.fabindia.com In June, established the Ankuri Volunteer Corp with the purpose to have young NRI’s come and establish a connection with India by participating in the Rural Literacy Program. In November, participated at the Dastkar Nature Bazaar, Dilli Haat. Successfully sold the knit products.
2007	Second year expanded order from Fabindia successfully delivered. In April, Fashion show at London, St. Marin’s, featuring Tahir Sultan’s Knitwear couture collection, executed by ANKURI knitters. www.tahirsultan.com In June, the Ankuri Volunteer Corp invite the first group of volunteers from Dil Se, a non-profit, US organization, second generation Indian pre-med and medical students to work in our Rural Literacy Program. www.dilse.org Partnership to set up an eco-tourism project explored with Ford Fellow, Manoj Bhatt. In November, exhibit and sell knitwear products at Dastkar Nature Bazaar, Ponchos, a new product introduced at the Fair and sold very successfully. Queries for more products.
2008	Wooden loom and wooden spindle procured with an aim to teach weaving and spinning to villagers. Article written in Andpersand, 14 January, 2008 issue about the knitwear collection made for Tahir Sultan. In May, third year, re-order from Fabindia. In June, AVC volunteers come for the second year, in June and teach the village youth for a month. The courses taught in English and cover topics from Gender Sensitivity to Decision Making to Health and Nutrition. Use of role-play and discussions make the program very successful. In August, discussions to explore a business arm with Shashiv Chandran, a Textile/sari Designer and owner of Utsav, a high end retail store in India. Meetings with representatives, to apply for a grant to set up a small rural based business with assistance from Tom Singh, owner of the UK based online apparel company – www.newlook.com Article on ANKURI written by Leigh Witchel. In October, talks with travel agents in India and the US, to develop an eco-tourism/rural tourism project to support the rural program. In November, exhibit and sell knitwear products at Dastkar Nature Bazaar, introduce waistcoats for children and adults. Successfully supply to two new retailers – People Tree and Kilol, with a promise to maintain a regular supply of knitted goods.
2009	In May, a repeat order from Fabindia. In June, orders from the two new retail outlets People Tree and Kilol. In June, AVC volunteers come for the third consecutive year to English through curricula in Environment, Nutrition and Gender Studies. In July, a ten day medical outreach program to service twelve villages, four doctors, with a mobile van equipped with blood testing, ECG and x-ray machines, 960 patients examined over 10 days.