“A world of magical transformation.“
A place where human and nature work hand in hand and together they create miraculous handicraft products. This is a place where you get the most beautiful banana fibre products. Here you can also get the best cut-working and smocking works done by well experienced artisans who are having decades of experience in this field.
NATURAL FIBRE CENTRE
Vimala Welfare Centre is a registered Social Service Society established in the year 1961 by the Congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary (DHMs), with the purpose to empower women belonging to the lower strata of life, in and around Ernakulam. The goal of the Society is to meet the basic needs of marginalized women by promoting economic and educational programmes. Its objective is to reach out to destitute women, economically backward women and other women who need support to find a position in society who would otherwise have no work, few prospects and thus little hope. It was a time when women from lower income group were bound within the 4 walls of their homes and their duties were limited to taking care of their family members’ daily needs. They were not earning members and thus they did not have a say in any matter and if the husband or father were an alcoholic, then the story was worst and the heavy burden to run the home fell on the women even when they did not have any source of income. It was in this situation that the sisters of Vimalalayam came up with the idea of creating a platform for these illiterate or partially literate women to establish a Welfare Centre, where the women could be artisans and to be earning members in their families.
As the news spread, thousands of women from nearby islands of Vypeen, Moolampailly arrived at Vimalalayam eager to learn this craft and they soon benefited economically, spiritually, psychologically and socially by this. The activities in centre is mostly related to the handicraft works of natural fibres predominantly with banana fibre. Along with this, training for tailoring and hand embroidery also started. The Welfare Centre is open to all in need, irrespective of age, caste or religion. The sisters had the vision that once the woman has economic independence many of their family problems would fall in its place. Over the past 60 years Vimalalayam has succeeded in empowering over 7000 women. Majority of them stand on their own feet now, which is a matter of pride to us. We now encourage many of them to do the work at home and bring it to the centre as age is a hindrance for many to come daily to the centre. It can save their travelling expenses also. Since we have a reputed Sales room, sale of the products are rather easy. We also have regular customers from all over India and abroad.
EMBROIDERY CENTRE
The embroidery section at Vimalalayam is a one of a kind, with customers from all over the world. The exquisite hand embroidery is done by talented and trained women who maintain the quality for which it is reputed. Cut work and shadow work on sarees and dresses are made to order, apart from the newborn baby clothes and smocked pretty dresses, nightwear and hand-kerchiefs which are readily available.
NATURAL FIBRE SECTOR
The Fibre unit has a collection of bags of varied sizes, shapes and colors. Experienced women artisans transform the banana fibre into objects of beauty and utility. Bags, baskets, table mats, runners, coasters, door mats, jewelry boxes, pencil boxes, files, flower-vases, pen holders and much more are readily available. The products made at Vimalalayam have found favour with people across the globe.
PALLAVOM
A home for the integrated development of girls
Pallavom is a home for girls who need special care and protection whether it is training in skills for specially-abled young girls or whether it is the home for integrated development for girls. He we cater to the educational, physical, emotional and moral requirements of the beneficiaries.
Archbishop Joseph Attippetty Memorial Skill Training for Specially-abled
This is a training centre for skills & various other development programmes that enhance their personality along with cultural training programmes for Specially-abled young girls. The girls are given training in sewing, cutting and tailoring, flower making, bag-making, beautician & make over training; dance & music; drawing and painting, flower making etc
Pallavom Integrated Development Home for Girls