I have had a desire to learn a craft and start making money for myself. My plan was to continue my education using those funds. I got to know about Falkland's work towards women's empowerment and the courses they were offering at that time. I attended the "Nettippattam" making workshop at JCI. I enjoyed the workshop since I was able to start my own Nettippattam business. I was also able to pay for my own studies using my own hardearned money.

Jishma Rajan Nettippattam making workshop Student

I only got to know about the market value for Palm Leaf plates after attending the seminar conducted by Falkland. My house is surrounded by palm trees, and I have an abun­dance of raw materials required for the craft. Right now, I am preparing to start my own Palm leaf plate business and I am grateful to Falkland.

KadeejummaPalm Leaf plates making workshop student

I attended the Palm Leaf Plate making workshop organized by Falkland.Through the workshop,! was able to learn the processes involved in starting a business and the loan and funding options, in addition to the simple craft of palm leaf plate making. Current­ly, I am starting my own shop to sell Palm Leaf Plates. I am extremely thankful to Falkland and Dorf Ketal for their help.

KalyaniPalm Leaf plates making workshop student

I started learning 'Chenda' after my admiration for Shinkari melam artists. Since I was in school during the time, I only had Shinkarimelam classes during the weekends. Since the past 5 years, I have been doing Shinkarimelam performances in differ­ent venues and functions. I am happy and proud to say that I earn the money that I spend.

KarishmaShinkarimelm Student

It's after a lot of debating that I joined the umbrella making workshop organized by folkland. I hadn't realized how easy umbrella making was, until I made it on my own. Now, I am confident that I can make my own umbrellas for the coming monsoon. I am deeply grateful to folkland for this wonderful workshop.

Rajani Madhu Umbrella Making Workshop Student

I came across the free terracotta making course after a lot of searching. It is with great eagerness and desire that I joined the workshop conducted by Falkland at Neeleshwaram. I also attended the Nettipattam making workshop. It was without my husband's support that I attended all these courses. Hence, now I earn enough money for my own needs

Suniterracotta making workshop Student

I am a sixty year old house wife. I have a deep interest in learning and enjoying art. When I joined Shinkarimelam class, a lot of people laughed at me saying I was too old to learn . I did not heed their words and learned how to play' Chenda: Now, I perform at various events. I had also attended the fancy bag making work­shop. Now, I have joined a group of women who make and sell fancy bags. The happiness of earning my own money using my own skills is unexplainable.

ThambayiShinkarimelam Student