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Kudumbashree's Annashree have started delivering tasty food from the Kudumbashree Catering units in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. AIFRHM (Adebha-Adhithi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management), the master training agency that extends catering training across the state and one among the best enterprise models of Kudumbashree has devised this new project of their own. They have come up with a mobile application named 'Annashree' which delivers food to the needy.

The Annashree project is presently being piloted in Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. 'Annashree' is developed in the model of other online delivery apps like Zomato, Swiggy etc. The cafe, canteen, catering units under Kudumbashree may register for delivering food through this application and all those who download this application may order and buy food items directly from Kudumbashree entrepreneurs.

As part of piloting the app, activities are being held in Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. In Thrissur, 8 hotels have registered in the application until now. An average of 30 home deliveries are done a day. Two Kudumbashree members from Panancherry Panchayath are delivering the food. The project was started in Ernakulam district on 29 June 2020. In Ernakulam, 9 Units from Kalamassery and Choornikkara have made registrations until now. Sales of Rs 5000- Rs 15,000 is recorded a day. AIFRHM has decided to expand the activity after completing this pilot project for 6 months.

It was understood that, though Kudumbashree hotels have registered in other food delivery applications, they were not getting enough publicity. It was noticed that paid promotions may be required for most of the existing food delivery apps for getting prominence for Kudumbashree's hotels. And that led Kudumbashree to try to experiment with the possibility to move forward with the idea of a new app. This will be an app where the trustworthiness and originality of Kudumbashree food units can be experienced by all customers.

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.

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.

Kudumbashree is setting up ‘Bhakshyavanam' at Attappady as part of Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project. This program is in convergence with the Subiksha Keralam concept initiated by Government of Kerala. ‘Bakshyavanam', which aims at ensuring food security at the 192 hamlets of Attappady and for preserving the organic diversity was launched on 5 June 2020, as part of the environment day observance. The Bhakshyavanam of Attappady would be the first of its kind in the tribal area of Kerala.

One year long activities would be organised as part of this program. The activities include planting and taking care of trees, cultivating food crops and constructing organic fences. This will be a combined effort of by all the families in the hamlets in addition to NHG members and women farmers. Through this, the concept of self sustainability of each hamlets in food production is envisaged. Also creation of more employment opportunities in the area of farm based livelihood is also expected.

The plan is to cultivate paddy, ragi, sama rice, millet, sugarcane, koda millet, other food crops in the Attappady area, vegetables, tubers and spices. 812 farming groups (JLG-Joint Liability Group) are cultivating various crops as part of the activities being implemented in agricultural sector in connection with Attappady Special Project. Various training programmes aiming at the value addition of agricultural products and hand holding support to set up of plant nurseries would also be implemented as part of the Bhakshyavanam programme in Attappady. Bhakshyavanam is being implemented for the rejuvenation of agriculture, creation of livelihood and self sustainability in agriculture, preservation of the tradition, mother earth and plants.

Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project is being implemented through Kudumbashree at Attappady of Palakkad district, aiming at the sustainable development of the tribal community of Attappady.

Kudumbashree has received yet another work order for making face shield. The order is received from Kerala Medical Services Corporation under Health Department of Kerala for making 2,81,128 face shields at the rate of Rs 20 per shield. Kudumbashree had received work order of Rs.56.22 lakhs towards this. Kudumbashree had already received from Sreechithra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences for 1500 face shields. 

The entrepreneurs from Thiruvananthapuram district are assembling this product now. The face shields are produced through the Akshayam Enterprise unit functioning in Karakulam Panchayath of Thiruvananthapuram district. There are 10 members in this unit. When they started getting more orders, training was extended to 15 more women and now the face shields are produced by a team of 25 people. 4000 face shields are produced through these units every day. A total of 15,000 face shields had already been produced through this unit. It is planned to produce the face shields as per the above order from this unit itself. If needed, the units in other districts would also be equipped for face shield production.

The District Missions of Kudumbashree have been making notable interventions and activities among the public in their respective districts to ensure the welfare of the people as lock down is notified in the state.  Other than mask-sanitizer production, community kitchen services, sharing information through whatsapp and the need analysis of the loan scheme announced by Government of Kerala, the District Missions have launched their own innovative initiatives as well. 

Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuam District Mission have effectively involved the Kudumbashree three tier structure and Animal Birth Control (ABC) units in ensuring food and drinking water for the animals and birds, who were struggling during this lock down period as part of COVID 19 countering activities. The ABC units in Thiruvananthapuram district fed stray dogs and other animals like cats and through the NHGs in the district, food and water for birds was also ensured. In Kollam district, Civil Supplies Department had entrusted the Kudumbashree units in the district for making the cloth bags to arrange the food kits. 38 tailoring units and two apparel parks of Kudumbashree in the district are engaged in making cloth bags for Civil Supplies Department. In the first phase, they received order for 40,00 cloth bags, out of which 15,000 cloth bags would be delivered soon. Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission is getting more orders for cloth bags from Civil Supplies Department. 

In Pathanamthitta,the Joint Liability  Groups of Kudumbashree were entrusted with the task of distributing sufficient vegetables to the Community Kitchens functioning in the district during lock-down days. They were preparing food in these places and in five days, Kudumbashree women in Pathanamthitta had managed to provide 1500 kilograms of vegetables for community kitchens. 39,710 people have so far been benefited out of the Community Kitchen initiative in Pathanamthitta district. In Alappuzha district, a novel initiative of Kudumbashree was helping out people in Kainakary in Alappuzha district by providing them with enough supplies to prepare food. Grocery and vegetables come to their doorsteps through the Kudumbashree-operated ‘supermarket’ ferry. Five women from Kudumbashree bring the essential items to help  the families in the Panchayath during the lock-down days.

Whereas in Kottayam District, Kudumbashree Snehitha staff and community counsellors are active in Covid 19 countering activities in Kottayam. The decision of joining hands with district administration and health department was taken by Kottayam District Mission after the discussion with the district collector about involving Kudumbashree network for these activities. In Idukki, over 17,000 Balasabha kids in the district are utilising the lock-down time in a creative way. They are participating in 'Akam Puram Nannayi', a programme being organised by Kudumbashree from March 28 to April 14. Personality development and skill development are also part of the programme and it aims to deal with the idleness in kids and make them active, when they are not able to go outside and interact with others due to lock-down. In Ernakulam district, an additional 10 community kitchens started functioning in Ernakulam district alone to provide sufficient food for guest laborers and others during lock-down days. The units led by Kudumbashree are operating full-fledged in the Kochi Municipal Corporation office. Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission has organized a special campaign for the members of the elderly NHGs in the district to effectively make use of this time. The campaign named as 'Innalekalilekk oru yatra' (A journey to the past), enables the members of the elderly NHGs to write their life stories, autobiographies, memoirs etc and send the same to the whatsapp group of ADS  through the office bearers of the elderly NHGs with the help of their children or grandchildren on or before 15 April 2020. Through campaigns like these, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission aims at reducing the mental pressure of the elderly people.

Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission is working spreading awareness about the spread of Corona virus disease among the vulnerable communities in the district. It is on realizing that, it is needed to spread the news about Corona pandemic among the vulnerable communities, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission started focusing on them. Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission also realized that it is their responsibility to extend services to them. It is in addition to the other services, Palakkad District Mission is extending services to the vulnerable communities. The services are being extended under the leadership of the Snehitha Gender Help Desk staff in the district. In Malappuram, Other than the community kitchens opened in various locations in the district, a community kitchen was opened in the premises of Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission. The food at this community kitchen is cooked by District mission officials themselves. The food is prepared after taking orders from the nearby locality. The community kitchen opened at Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission office serves food to around 300 people every day. In Kozhikode,as part of COVID 19 countering activities, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission is supplying the sanitizers to government's essential service sectors. Hand sanitizers that are being used in Government hospitals, police stations, KSRTC offices, Treasury offices in the district, etc are produced by Kudumbashree. In Wayanad, Kudumbashree Wayanad district mission had made a mark in this field of community kitchen way before the same started functioning all across Kerala. The catering unit in Wayanad had extended their helping hands to NRIs in unexpected crisis by giving them food during the Janatha curfew day on 22 March 2020.

In Kannur, tele-counselling was offered by the Snehitha Gender Help Desk in Kannur to bring down the mental pressure among the people during the  lock-down days. They focused on providing information regarding the chances of Covid-19 spread apart from offering moral support to those spending time in quarantine and self-isolation.  In Kasaragod, even in the midst of Lock-down,the Kasaragod Snehitha Gender help Desk Team was working providing their services and is  working in 'Work from Home' mode. The 14 member team including counsellor, service providers and community counsellors are catering their tasks, with utmost significance, that too without losing its significance. Like these, each District Mission had devised initiatives of their own to extend support to the people and ensured their welfare during the lock- down. Kudumbashree system is trying its best for the people to make their lives better during the lock-down days.