Not by Charity, Not by Sympathy, but through our hard work, we shall strive for our Dignity.
Ankur Kala started out in a single room in Salkia, Howrah in 1982. It began with the profound vision and deep commitment of a solitary young woman – Annie Joseph. Returning from Taize (France) at the age of 22 she had courage to forsake university education to become a professor in order to serve the under- privileged women of Kolkata. After completing her Masters in Social Work from TISS, Mumbai, she was deeply influenced and inspired by personalities like Mother Teresa, Brother Roger of Taize, France and Medha Patkar, of Mumbai.
Ankur Kala has over the years created a sustainable model for economic self reliance by motivating women to achieve excellence in vocational skills and then produce and sell their handicrafts in the open market.
Here, women receive training in multiple departments – Catering, Tailoring and Batik. They are also given non formal classes in Spoken English, Bengali, Book Keeping, Yoga and Singing. Each day begins with a session of meditation and shared interfaith prayer.
This centre also includes a hall (65 sq mtrs) which can be hired for meetings and workshops by partner NGOs. For enquiries please call 033 22878476/ 85838 27883 Or email us at ankurkalakal@gmail.com
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This centre functions as Ankur Kala’s main hub where the women produce jams, squashes and pickles. Alongside this, we also have ample farm land where we employ organic practices to grow seasonal fruits and vegetables. This space (80000 sq ft) is also available to rent at a nominal price for picnics and social gatherings for other NGOs.
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This Unit mainly focuses on village nutrition, vocational training and supplementing education for school drop outs. Our representatives go into the villages and teach organic farming, encouraging women to become self reliant with their own kitchen gardens.
We are currently functioning out of rented premises hoping to shift into our newly constructed centre soon.
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Our training is professionally monitored by experienced and dedicated teachers.
After training, the women either set up their own enterprise or employ their skills at voluntary or private organisations.
Almost 95% of our women continue to lead happy and enriching lives and their children too have excelled in various fields.
500gms. @ Rs. 140/-
200gms @ Rs. 85/-
500gms. @ Rs. 140/-
200gms @ Rs. 85/-
4.0” X 4.5” @ Rs. 60/-
7.6” X 9.0” @ Rs. 250/-
9.0” X 5.5” @ Rs. 175/-
@ Rs. 50/-
@ Rs. 650/-
Prime Minister of Luxembuorg’s visit to Ankur Kala in 1999
Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2009 from CARE AND SHARE, USA
Recognition from National Commission for Minority Education Institutes – Government of India
Award and recognition from ‘Better City Better Life’ in 2011
Receiving the Mahatma Awards for Social Good in New York in 2019
We received the Good Samaritan Award (Agape Movement, Chicago- 2016)
Razia Begum joined Ankur Kala as a young widow. Her intelligence and eagerness to learn enabled her to become adept at marketing and sales. Razia picked up the skills of making Jams and Pickles.
Ansari Begum, joined Ankur Kala in 1992. She started learning the craft of Batik and Bandhni. Alongside she developed her social skills and became more confident in dealing with others.
Shibani Bagh, was orphaned at a young age. She joined Ankur Kala in 1985 in the Batik Department and was trained and worked in all Departments. Shibani learnt vegetable dye Since then she has done plenty of work with vegetable dye and Silk-Screen Printing.
Ankur Kala has various departments working to promote livelihood skills over four decades. In our projects – both Urban and Rural, we have supported innumerable women directly and touched countless lives indirectly.
To restore the ecological health of the pond, manage solid waste, and create a sustainable green belt through reforestation.
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Project DetailsThis initiative seeks to establish a high-standard community catering service operated entirely by the women of Ankur Kala.
Project Details