Following the outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur in May this year, a unique project launched a couple of months later in the state is empowering women displaced by violence with skills in the Japanese craft art of amigurumi.
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Detailed templates, tools, and materials were provided to women in relief camps, enabling them to create dolls. The initiative served as a sustainable means of livelihood for those affected by the ethnic violence, which has resulted in nearly 200 casualties and the displacement of over 60,000 individuals.
‘Stitching Hope’
As reported by The Hindu, the pre-sale campaign for crochet dolls, handmade by the displaced women, surpassed expectations by raising $11,000.
The online campaign for the dolls, which took place from October 7 to November 5, resulted in $11,000 worth of pre-sale orders from North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
The women underwent training to create dolls such as Buddy (the pet Dog), Mitten (the Cat), Raja (the Tiger), Oliver (the Bear), and Bole (the Buddy). Monish Karam from 1 Million Heroes noted that the business generated through the pre-sale campaign exceeded the initial target by twice the amount. He attributed this success to a combination of compassion and the therapeutic aspect of crafting dolls.
