Kozhikode store run by women with Down syndrome wins hearts
The initiative, launched by the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) Foundation with the support of the Down Syndrome Trust, Kozhikode, aims to provide meaningful employment to women with Down syndrome.
The initiative, launched by the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) Foundation with the support of the Down Syndrome Trust, Kozhikode, aims to provide meaningful employment to women with Down syndrome.
The initiative, launched by the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) Foundation with the support of the Down Syndrome Trust, Kozhikode, aims to provide meaningful employment to women with Down syndrome.
Kozhikode: Anjali Surendran, Anjana KC, Teena Mariyam Thomas and T Anusree welcome every customer to their handicrafts emporium, Sargasheshi at Nadakkavu with warmth and excitement. If the visitor happens to be a Mollywood celebrity, their joy multiplies. When actor Parvathy Thiruvothu visited the outlet, the women spent time recalling her film scenes while also explaining details of their products. “Our next guest is Siju Sunny,” Anjali from Vellimadukunnu said excitedly, recalling how the actor was connected to them over a video call through a friend.
Sargasheshi is no ordinary store. It is an emporium of handcrafted products on the busy Kannur Road in West Nadakkavu, run by young women with Down syndrome. The initiative, launched by the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) Foundation with the support of the Down Syndrome Trust, Kozhikode, aims to provide meaningful employment to women with Down syndrome.
“This venture makes them more responsible, engaged, confident and happy,” said Akhil Sadanandan, the outlet's coordinator. Located on the ground floor of a building provided by the Down Syndrome Trust, the store is stocked with a wide variety of handicrafts sourced mainly from Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village in Iringal, Vadakara, and the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram. Products from other Indian states and abroad are also available.
The women, accompanied by their mothers, arrive at the store by 9.30 am every day. They carry out their duties — from switching on the lights and arranging products to cleaning and assisting customers — with enthusiasm and care.
“They explain everything with such genuineness. If an item is old, they inform the customer of this as well. This honesty makes them special,” Akhil said. “Most importantly, they are happy here. They feel responsible and know this venture is exclusively for them; they are at the centre of it. That realisation makes them more confident, self-sufficient and empowered. That is the aim of this project.”
To support them, the ULCCS Foundation has appointed trained women staff or special educators, as the employees still require monitoring and guidance. The women received training at UL Care Nayanar Sadanam in Eranhipalam, run by the ULCCS Foundation.