How Ankur Kala began. In 1982, Annie Joseph, a qualified social worker from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, began the centre with Mother Teresa's blessings and the inspiration of Brother Roger of Taizé, France. Since then, Ankur Kala has provided training - and economic and social empowerment - through teaching various vocational skills, functional literacy, small business management and alternative marketing of various handicraft products and food items produced by the centre. Our Benificiaries. Most of the women who come to Ankur Kala are victims of oppression and exploitation, forced to shoulder a harsh burden of both domestic and economic needs of their families. They usually have no assets and live in small rented houses in appalling, unhygenic conditions. They come seeking the centres support to break free of the chains of poverty and oppression and to lead lives of dignity and hope. Typical stories. Parveen came to Ankur Kala from a poor and broken family. At age 14, she was forced into a marriage with a sickly man of 40 years who died soon after, leaving her helpless , and with a little child. She first came to Ankur Kala emotionally broken, illiterate and without confidence. Today, she has blossomed - she now teaches other women to make and sell food products. Women who like herself, are now on the road to regaining their dignity and self reliance.

Returning hope >>