Products made by special kids to be on sale at ‘NGO Connect’

Nagpur: It is inspiring to see the expertise of young minds of specially-abled children, youth and women from different NGOs in the city in making beautiful handmade products, right from paper bags to herbal tea. But their talent is often restricted to the walls of these NGOs.
But they will now get a chance to showcase their art at ‘NGO Connect’, an initiative of Sir Gangadharrao Chitnavis Trust, to bring together all such organizations on a common platform. NGOs marketplace, the first programme of this initiative, will take place at Rangayan, Chitnavis Centre, on February 22 and 23.
Amol Awankar, a constable at Central Jail, believes that it is an amazing opportunity as all the products made in the prison will be exhibited. “Prisoners have made beautiful saris by using handloom and power loom which will be sold at the event. It’s a positive step which will motivate them,” he said.
Nikhil Kulkarni, an accountant from Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha, shared details about their items to be put on display. “We work for the mentally handicapped children. They have made files and other paperwork. Children, who put their heart and mind in making these handmade products, will get a platform to showcase it,” he said.
Products on display range from files, jute bags, fancy envelopes, paper flowers, rugs, terracotta products and bamboo artwork. There will be enough options for products like honey, herbal tea, organic ground nut oil and millets.
Dr Mrunalini Balla, a parent-member of Sweekar Parents Association, expressed happiness as her son is in the NGO. She said, “I believe it is a step to encourage specially-abled children, that they are equally loved and their work needs to be appreciated. At the exhibition, we will exhibit phenyl and liquid soaps, besides other items.”
Bhagyashree Deshpande from Abhyudaya Global Village, which educates children from 18 nearby villages, said, “Those who are at the school have in abundance knowledge and talent. We will sell refined oil extracted from machines.”
Durga Chede is a speech therapist at Deaf and Dumb Residential School, Saoner, and is working for the uplift of hearing and impaired students. She said, “Children have made beautiful paper flowers, beads Ganesha, pots and necklaces. They are excited to display their talent at NGO Connect.”
Twenty-six NGOs are participating in the event the aim of which is to market products produced by their beneficiaries. It will act as a bridge between NGOs and the local business community. Other programmes of ‘NGO Connect’ will include skilling and workshops for quality improvement, marketing and providing employment opportunities.
The next stage will be to identify products for further design/quality inputs and skilling. “These products will then be made commercially marketable. Local businessmen and companies would be encouraged to contribute to this project and tie up with the NGOs,” said Avantika Chitnavis, trustee.