VARNAJALAM means the magic of colour. It symbolizes the colourful products of the showroom.

VARNAJALAM the slum showroom was inaugurated on the 15th of February 2007 in the presence of local personalities.

VARNAJALAM offers a large range of products created within the frame work of the empowerment projects for the slum-dwellers led by SPEED Trust. We have at SPEED Trust developed a printing workshop, which offers a large choice of printing with many symbols like Tribal design on many supports like visiting cards, cotton bag, hand made paper...

This key-project of VARNAJALAM is based on an ethical and ecological concept. They are baskets made up of polypropylene wire, which come from recycled plastic bags.

Indeed, all the baskets are handmade by poor women. Most of them are widows, or have been deserted by their husbands. With the help of SPEED Trust they undergo skills training, and are then brought up together to form a unique group of producers.

SPEED Trust purchases the baskets they make at the highest rate possible, sometimes twice the local market price.
It ensures that women to earn at least 2 $ per day so as to maintain or increase their living standard of living. In India, 30 % people live with less than 1 $ per day, whereas another 30% can live with 1000 $ per month.

All the profits are used to support various social programs such as the schooling of children, micro credit, and sponsorship.

The showroom was created thanks not only to the success of the market demand of SPEED Trust products but also the determination of the women to work hard of the women at the basis of this project. In fact, VARNJALAM is not only an exhibition of the products but above all a proof that slum-dwellers are able to dream big and to make concrete their inate potential.

“An hand helped journey from darkness to light”

A producer witness: “My name is Thenmozhi, I was born in 1982 and I live in the slum with my young sister and my ill mother. When I was 16. I have been run over by a train while I was going to school. Since this accident, I am physically challenged and cannot move from my bed. Due to this accident, I had to stop my studies.

Till recently, I felt like a heavy burden to my family. For 6 years, by making baskets, I can ear a reasonable income of Rs. 120 per day and now I am in a position to support my family, particularly my young sister who follows schoolings. My second sister completed a tailoring training and got from SPEED Trust a sewing machine. with the increasing ordering from SPEED Trust, I am akin to regular salaried citizen, which increased my family’s standard of living.”

For any further information about VARNAJALAM and its programs, please contact the following: 044-64572188.

Or visit the site www.balafairtrade.com to see the VARNAJALAM products.