Pondicherry to Prashanthagiri…

This past week we had the pleasure of welcoming a few folks from Pondicherry to Prashantagiri. Mr. Rajendran, his wife, and a trainer from TAS, TImeaid income generation program. The Profugo team had the privilege of visiting TAS back in July in Pondicherry. We were very impressed by their team of women and the speed and skill in which they were able to produce products. We were also impressed by the diversity of products available. It was at this time that Jenny had the idea to invite the TAS team to come to Prashantagiri and share their skills with the ladies in our tailoring workshop.

So, four months later, that became a reality. After meeting Rajendran and team at their hotel we made our way to the bus stand and headed to the village. After a nice breakfast, we went to the tailoring workshop. We made our introductions and wasted no time getting started. At first there was a little timidity and a bit of a language barrier as our ladies speak Malayalam and Rajendran’s team speaks Tamil.

One of the women in our tailoring workshop, being from Tamil Nadu, helped bridge that gap at first. She also opened up her home to the TAS team. Each day we enjoyed lunch at her house and Rajendran, his wife, and the trainer stayed the night there, which was much more cozy than staying in town in a hotel.

By the end of the first day, the ladies and the TAS team were becoming comfortable with one another and by the second day, you would have thought the two groups had known each other for years. They were communicating as if no language barrier existed and the ease and familiarity with which the trainer and her “pupils” engaged with each other was so beautiful to see. There was such a strong sense of camaraderie between the two.

I felt a charge of energy when I entered the workshop. The presence of the TAS team definitely boosted morale and the ladies were eager and excited to learn new skills and expand their expertise. They all would huddle around the trainer, intently watching her every move and taking notes.
The ladies were also very proud to show off their home, Prashanthagiri. The TAS team was able to take a few walks around the village and was very pleased with the scenery and the cool breeze that blows through the hills. Several homes in the village opened their homes up to Rajendran and his team, offering chai, biscuits, a seat.

After the third day, it was time for the TAS team to head back to Pondicherry. We were sad to see them go but there is a possibility of them coming back in the future to train the tailoring women more skills. The spirit of the TAS team lives on in the workshop as the day Rajendran left, the women got right to work, practicing the new products with a renewed vigor and zeal. Soon, these new products will be available for purchase. Keep your eyes pealed!