Design cooperation with KKM leprosy colonies

KKM is constituted of four leprosy colonies where about 160 people live overall. Three of the colonies are situated in and around Dheradun and one is in Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, north India. The people live and work in the colonies. They make yarn from cotton or wool. From that they weave and sew textile products like carpets, bags, accessories, pillow cushions, table cloths and more.

The designer, Subhabrata Sadhu, and Noel Das that is one of the administration staff at KKM discuss about what is appropriate for KKM according to design development. .

At first there was some plans that KKM would from raw material produce fabrics that Tibetan Women Center and Deykiling Handicraft Center would use do to make products of. In this way IM Fair Trades supplier groups could be connected with eachother and create job opportunities fo eachother. The discussions between IM, KKM and the designer revealed an uncertainty about the idea to put the responsibility on KKM, which have an output which can be quite irregular. It was agreed that there was no need to chain the suppliers to eachother when a possible delay of KKM would affect the other two suppliers.

However, we looked around at KKM's store where there are lots of textiles. Subhabrata considered that part of it in stock would be appropriate and that this would be good for all parties if it could be used.

- Since they already have some nice fabrics I plan to use their fabric to develop a range of bags and accessories with TWC. Apart from that I intend to design some scarves, cushion covers and tablecloths with them, says Subhabrata Sadhu.


Some of KKM:s artisans.

According to the designer they have their strengths in good skill, good understanding of design and aesthetic, good product with lot of potential in the market and a good production facilitys. The weakness that is facing with KKM is a lack of motivation, lack of young weavers who can produce as per deadline and can work more when required, low time commitment (people work as per their will), unwillingness to improve and work as per order and lack of raw material and stock management.


Some of KKM:s weavers.

Three fabrics were selected from KKM and taken to TWC that sewed two bags and a smaller toilet bag to test the quality and suitability. One of the fabrics was a thin fabric that may be suitable for slightly thinner garments.

/Lilian