Kudumbashree received a mandate to operate canteens at all ITIs established by the Department of Labour and Skills, Government of Kerala. This approval is as per Government order (G.O(MS) No.29/2020/ Labour). The requirement is to operate canteens as per guidelines of the ‘programme for providing nutritious food/ noon meal’ at 96 ITIs in Kerala. Through this, the students in these ITIs would get food at prescribed rates and the Kudumbashree entrepreneurs working in the catering sector would get an opportunity to get a regular income.

As per this order, Kudumbashree units will get the opportunity to implement programmes for providing nutritious food at 82 ITIs and to provide food as per noon meal Programme at 14 ITIs. 30,000 student trainees of ITI s would be beneficiaries of the ‘Nutritious Food Programme’ and 6000 trainees would become part of the ‘noon meal’ programme. The Nutritious Food Programme provides for a fund of Rs 15 per student per day. For the noon meal programme, Kudumbashree units would get Rs 340 per trainee for a week at the ITIs where the number of students is less than 500. The rate will be Rs 325 per student for a week in those ITIs where the number of students is greater than 500.

There are about 4500 canteen- catering units functioning under the umbrella of Kudumbashree in Kerala. This new opportunity will bring more livelihood opportunities in the catering sector for Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. As per the order received in 2018, (G.O (Rt) No.2143/2018.LSGD) Kudumbashree got the approval to run canteens in all Local Self Government Institutions.

Sales of umbrellas worth half crore rupees has been recorded through 'Orumayk Oru Kuda Akalam' (Umbrellas for Unity) Campaign, which is being implemented for taking the slogan of 'Social Distancing' to the NHGs. As per the campaign started during the month of May, a total of 20,384 umbrellas were sold through 678 CDSs and sales of more than Rs 55 lakhs was recorded.

'Orumayk Oru Kuda Akalam' (Umbrellas for Unity) campaign is being implemented through Kudumbashree's community network. As per this campaign, umbrellas produced by Kudumbashree enterprise units are marketed through Community Development Societies (CDS). Umbrellas were distributed to CDSs according to the orders received and are being sold to the NHG members though CDSs. When the concept of 'Orumayk Oru Kuda Akalam' was introduced,the CDSs came forward showing greater interest.

The umbrellas produced by the umbrella making units under Kudumbashree were collected through district teams and were brought to CDSs. CDSs sold these umbrellas to the NHG members. Four types of umbrellas viz., 3 fold, 2 fold, kids umbrella and gents umbrella were given to CDSs. The NHG members were provided with an option to pay the cost of the umbrella to the CDS in instalments (12 weeks duration). This amount would be handed over to the state mission and the same would be distributed among the respective units.

Through this campaign, support was given to the entrepreneurs engaged in umbrella production and they were assisted to get a good market. Further, through this campaign, Kudumbashree could make the members aware of the significance of maintaining social distancing for containing the spread of coronavirus.

Kudumbashree entrepreneurs from Kannur are all set to produce designer masks after getting special training from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). After the issue of the government directions that it is mandatory to wear face masks, both low quality masks and expensive masks became available in the market. On realising this, our Kudumbashree Kannur District team decided to produce reliable branded designer masks through the entrepreneurs working in apparel, tailoring sector.

The district team approached the National Institute of Fashion technology (NIFT) for extending training for entrepreneurs. 30 Entrepreneurs got the first phase of training on 3 June. The training was provided in the faculties of designing as well as production. Later, on 19 June, special training was given on the aspects such as packing, branding and also on fixing rates. The training was extended by a team including the faculties and officials of NIFT. Mukthi Sumangala, Shangrella Rajesh, Manuprasad Mathew and Nithin took the leadership for imparting training.

Presently, 30 units are making two or three layered masks using cotton and chiffon. The masks are being produced after ascertaining the needs and interests of the people from various sectors of the society. Different designs of masks are there for women and men. Separate types of masks are being produced for children from 2 to 7 years of age and those from 8 to 14 years of age. It is planned to launch the designer masks by 15 July after completing the package design. It is also planned to market these masks through Kudumbashree organisational system, shops, hospitals, medical shops, Government departments etc.

Kudumbashree would extend services at COVID Firstline Treatment Centres across the state. Kudumbashree is extending two types of services at these centres as per the guidance of the respective District Collectors and the District Health Department.

Serving needed food is one of the important services that Kudumbashree extends to these centres and they also extend housekeeping services at selected Firstline Treatment Centres as well.

As of now, Kudumbashree serves food to the treatment centres at 14 locations.Kudumbashree serves food at 3 First Line Treatment Centres each at Palakkad, Malappuram districts and 2 centres each at Pathanamthitta, Kottayam districts. Kudumbashree entrepreneurs provide an average of 1200 food packets to these Firstline Treatment Centres across Kerala on a daily basis. In addition, Kudumbashree members extend the housekeeping services to 6 Firstline Treatment Centres.

Firstline Treatment Centres are being opened in all districts under the leadership of the Health Department in connection with the spread of covid-19 pandemic. These are developed as the centres that treat the covid-19 patients in the primary phase. Till 9 July 2020, more than 30 Firstline Treatment Centres were opened in Kerala. It brings immense pride to Kudumbashree NHG members and CDSs that they are able to provide services in the needed areas converging with the Health Department and district administration for fighting back Covid.

The first sales outlet of Kerala Chicken under the leadership of Kudumbashree have started functioning at North Paravur of Ernakulam district on 30 June 2020. Shri. A.C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala inaugurated the outlet through video message. The enterprise is started jointly by Smt. Renuka Rajan and Smt. Anaswara, who are the NHG members under Ezhikkara CDS. Five chicken farmers were given day old chicks before 40 days to provide broiler chicken to these outlets. They farmers were provided with day old chicks in such intervals so that continuous supply is ensured in the sales outlet.

Kudumbashree implemented the Kerala Chicken Programme in different phases. In the first phase, Integration Farming was done associating with Kerala State Poultry Development Corporation (KEPCO). This was the programme in which the 53 farmers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts were given one day old chicks by KEPCO and they bought back the chicken after 40 days. Following that, Kudumbashree signed a contract with Meat Products of India (MPI) for Integration Farming in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. The programme of identifying farmers who are doing broiler farming/ interested in maintaining broiler farms were provided with CEF (Community Enterprise Fund). This financial support to farmers was also started parallel. As of now, CEF was provided to 545 farmers.

The construction of Poultry Processing Plant including Breeder Farm, Poultry Line and Rendering Plant had already been started in Thiruvananthapuram under the banner of a producer company formed by Kudumbashree. These activities were progressing as part of the Kerala Chicken Project. As a next step, Integration Farming (the process in which one day old chicks, medicine and feed would be given and the broiler chicken would be bought back after 40 days) was also started simultaneously under the umbrella of Kudumbashree Broiler Farmers Producer Company. For the last 6 months, 95 broiler farmers were given 4,16,000 chicks in 4 terms, the matured chickens were bought back and were sold in the market.

In addition to the sales outlet started at North Paravur, activities had already been started for opening sales outlets at Thirumarady, Aayavana, Kottappadi and Maradi of Ernakulam district before 15 July. 34 farmers were given one day old chicks for supplying chicken to these outlets. The matured chicks would be bought back and it is expected to bring them for sale when those sales outlets start functioning.Kudumbashree aims at starting 100 Kerala Chicken outlets before September by doing Integration Farming through 124 farmers and 200 outlets before December 2020 by doing Integration Farming through 220 farmers. Kerala Chicken Programme was started envisaging the sustainable change in the broiler chicken market of Kerala.

Kudumbashree and KSFE are about to create new history by launching Micro Chitty to buy Laptops. Micro Chitty Programme is the programme launched jointly by Kudumbashree and KSFE (Kerala State Financial Enterprises) foreseeing the need to arrange laptops for the needy as the education system in Kerala has turned completely online. It is the basic entity needed to strengthen the general education system as it would be needed to arrange education through online ways for a long time. We realised that online education would be the future of our education system other than classroom classes. Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Shri. V. P. Subramanian, Managing Director, KSFE signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the same. The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Shri. A. C Moideen, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala and Dr. T.M Thomas Issac, Minister, Finance Department, Government of Kerala.

As per this contract, KSFE would start a micro chitty of Rs 15,000 for all those who need a laptop. The installment per month for the chitty is Rs 500 for 30 months. Any Kudumbashree member could join in the chitty. A person can enroll for only one chitty. The chitty installment repayment would be overseen by NHG and CDS. As per this, after the payment of the third installment, a Kudumbashree member may inform the NHG if she needs a laptop. KSFE would purchase and give to them the laptop with the specifications prescribed by the Education Department from the agencies empanelled by IT Department. These laptops would cost less than Rs 15,000. Likewise, after the payment of the third installment, the needy may own a laptop. When the chitty installment payment would be complete, the members would get the remaining amount excluding the cost of the laptop. As per this programme, those who need laptops in Kerala would get one with four years guarantee. We are proud that Kudumbashree could play a role in raising the education system of Kerala to a new digital era. In addition to this, we are also checking whether we would get any subsidies from other departments or sponsors.

Kudumbashree's micro entrepreneurs are getting ready for the production of 'Ayurveda Masks' in addition to the production of reusable cotton masks and face shields that are helpful for health workers, they are engaged in. Kudumbashree stepped in to the production of Ayur Masks associating with the State Ayush Department. The Ayur Masks were devised under the leadership of Dr. S.Anand, Assistant Professor, Government Ayurveda Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.

The face masks are produced in handloom cloth. The medicines like thulasi, turmeric etc which enhance the respiration process are blended into the cloth just like the colour is mixed. The efforts to bring Ayur Masks to the market through Kudumbashree units has just started. The initial discussions regarding the production of Ayur Masks were done a few weeks back. Following that, 10 Kudumbashree women from Manikandeshwara, Vandana units of Thiruvananthapuram corporation were selected for producing masks on an experimental basis.

The initial orientation process for Ayurveda mask production was held at the Snehitha Centre, Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram on 15 June 2020. Three-Day technical training was given to the selected enterprise unit members from 17-19 June 2020. Dr. Anand and Shri. Aju, Pharmacist from Ayurveda college led the training sessions for the production of Ayur Masks. Face masks were made mandatory by the Government of Kerala for everyone to fight against covid-19 pandemic.

Kudumbashree is also playing a notable part in the distribution of textbooks which has been ceased due to covid-19 lockdown. The General Education Department had given approval to Kerala Books and Publication Society (KBPS) for finishing the activities of sorting the books through Kudumbashree for completing the textbook distribution in time. 201 NHG members are engaged in this activity all across the state. 

The books printed at Kerala Books and Publication Society (KBPS), Kakkanad of Ernakulam district are taken to the textbook hubs at every district. The books are sorted and are given to the societies formed by joining 6 or 7 schools as per the need. The books are taken to the respective schools from these societies and the books are distributed to the parents or students. Kudumbashree members have taken up the charge of sorting the books that come to the textbook hubs and are giving to the societies. They categorize the textbooks as per the needs of each society and pack the same. Also, women from Kudumbashree are extending help in taking these book packets to the societies.  

The online classes of the students from the first standard have already been started. The activities for delivering textbooks for these students have started from 14 May 2020. It is planned to complete the distribution of the textbooks by 30 June. The textbooks of this academic year would be distributed in three phases. The textbooks which include portions upto the onam examination is being distributed now.

Since its inception, Kudumbashree has been able to mark their strong presence in Kerala society in all its glory. Kudumbashree members always come forward to extend support to people whenever they are in crisis. During the floods of 2018, 2019 and even during the crisis time of covid-19, Kudumbashree extended relentless support they could.