The Story of Savera
It Began with a Question of Dignity
Sometimes, a single question can awaken a lifelong mission.
The seed of Savera was planted during a conference at the All India Women’s Commission on the issue of sexual exploitation of tribal women along highways. As discussions revolved around how to stop this painful practice, my thoughts kept returning to a difficult question: what would happen to those women and their families if this “source of income” suddenly stopped?
These women, often mothers of large families with intoxicated or unemployed husbands and dependent elders, were not choosing this path out of desire but out of desperate necessity. Ending the practice without addressing the root cause i.e. poverty , would only push them and their families deeper into starvation and suffering.
So, I voiced an alternative view: the real solution was not to stop the women, but to empower them. Provide them with economic opportunities and dignified livelihoods so they would no longer be forced to compromise their dignity for survival.
I do not know what outcomes emerged from that conference, but one thing became clear to me: I had to act.
Thus, Savera was born — with the intention to create causes and conditions for the tribal and marginalized to live a life of dignity through sustainable livelihood, empowerment, and compassion-driven initiatives.
SAVERA CHARITABLE TRUST WAS ESTABLISHED ON 14TH AUGUST 2002
The Purpose
of Creating Savera
​
Our purpose was to economically empower the Tribals and Artisans of India by creating platform where they could sell their native products and make a living for themselves.
Tribals are the most elegant segment of India, who have rich culture and hearts. Yet these communities are the prey of extreme and nerve wrenching poverty. Because of this they are forced to be misused by the society in several ways. They have splendid pure hearts and impeccable talent, but what they lack is an opportunity to showcase those amazing talents and make a living for themselves.
Savera created several platforms to exhibit the tribals’ rich culture and heritage in several places like Airports, Hotels, Petrol Pumps, etc. The Tribal artisans could sell their unique handcrafted products in exhibitions held by us in the cities. We also arranged the export of their hand-made products in countries like Japan and South Africa.
Constant efforts were made to connect this segment to the main cities. They could stay in their homes and still be connected to the cities to earn a good living. This was a chance which they took to nurture their age-old arts instead of working as laborers away from their homes.
Last but not the least, we set up an NGO SHOP, as an experiment to cater to all the tribal artisans, farmers, weavers, etc. where they could sell their beautiful hand-crafted products.The experiment had an affluent response.
​
How was the project helpful to the tribal community?
1. The artisans were guided to get connected with the corporates and get regular orders for festivals, events, etc.
2. They were provided help to get settled with NGOs.
3. They could work on their outlets as well.
4. They were also guided to work on several exhibitions conducted by different NGOs