This is the success story of a woman who is radiating light onto the lives of others through her candle making unit. Kayamkulam is one of the home towns famous for processing coir in Alappuzha district. The City Mission Management unit of the Urban Local Body has supported many urban poor to find various means of livelihood. Smt. Sheelamma is one among them.
The City Mission Management Unit (CMMU) had received many applications after the General Awareness campaign conducted in the Urban Local Body which provided information on the Self Employment Programme (SEP) Component of NULM and the support provided to establish a micro enterprise unit. Many persons came forward with diverse enterprise ideas and Sheelamma came with the idea to start a candle making unit. She already had a little bit experience in candle making as was engaged in the business from 2016 onwards. The initial times were not at all profitable for her. She started selling the candles in the nearby shops located near the churches. The effort to sell the candles by providing commissions was not profitable and therefore she started selling the products directly to the shops. Her packing was not that attractive. But the quality of the product helped her to sell the products on a lesser scale. But due to shortage of working capital and lack of knowledge on marketing, quality and variety products she was not able to proceed further. The banks were not willing to provide her loan.
When she came to know about the NULM scheme, she approached the City Mission Management Unit (CMMU) and discussed the possibilities of starting a candle making unit. She shared her anxieties as her initial experience was not positive. With the support of the City Mission Management Unit (CMMU) and Syndicate Bank, Kayamkulam she availed loan under the NULM Self Employment Programme (SEP) Component. The initial experience helped her to buy whatever is required and can be marketed. She started making 16 different types of candles and now she has wide customers. Today she is providing employment to two more women from the network. The marketing initiatives extended from the Kayamkulam to the nearby Urban Local Bodies and Districts now. She is now able to support her family in a good manner.
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