Special Enterprises
There are special enterprises that have been specifically sponsored and developed by the Kudumbashree Mission
Some special micro enterprises are listed below,
Santhwanam: Santhwanam is a major intervention of Kudumbashree in the Health sector. With lifestyle diseases on the rise, a visit to hospitals and clinics for periodical check ups has become common among the poor as well as the elite. This prompted Kudumbashree to think of an alternative and thus Santhwanam project became part of Kudumbashree livelihood programmes.
Santhwanam is a collaborative effort of Kudumbashree, Health Action by People (HAP) and the State Bank of India (SBI). Women from Kudumbashree families having a plus-two education or graduation in science are selected for enterprises. They are given seven days of intensive training on technical inputs and personality development by HAP, an NGO headed by a group of committed doctors. The entrepreneurs are trained in checking the height, body weight, body mass index, cancer detection, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol of people they visit at home to check on their diseases. The medical equipments and strips required for the check ups are supplied by HAP.
Kudumbashree imparts performance improvement training to these people after every six months of functioning. The Santhwanam groups also take part in fairs and festivals, where they get plenty of patients to carry out check ups on and earn a good income. This is in addition to the regular house visits they undertake for periodic check ups. The main benefit of this scheme is that the periodic check ups give individuals a warning about their state of health so that they can go to a hospital in time for further treatment if necessary.
Amrutham Food Supplement: Nutritional food supplement provided through the 33000 anganwadi of the State to children in the age group of 6 months to 3 years.
Cafe Kudumbashree:Cafe Kudumbashree is a sub brand of Kudumbashree in the hospitality sector. More than 1000 units serving ethnic delicacies are functioning across the state. Café Kudumbashree specializes in ethnic Kerala cuisine, prepared by women from various cultures, traditions and customs. Arguably, this is the only brand that brings together the diversity of ethnic Kerala cuisine under one roof. Over the years, Cafe Kudumbashree has established itself as a strong brand in the restaurant sector, through a series of food festivals, catering orders and also by running canteens.
Kudumbashree Travels:Concern about the safe travel of women and children especially at odd timings led the Mission to think of an innovative enterprise- the Kudumbashree Travels. The women taxi service piloted in Thiruvananthapuram the State capital was expanded to almost all the districts. Call centre, GPS monitoring system, web enabled services and other features associated with a professional taxi services have been provided by Kudumbashree travels. Specific design & colour combination along with the Kudumbashree logo makes the vehicle easily identifiable. The project is implemented in the urban areas though women from rural areas too can become part of the service.
Kudumbashree Wellness Centers:Kudumbashree wellness centers evolved as an outcome of Santwanam programme. Women who do not have the facility to exercise, or to find time for their health care are encouraged to visit wellness centers run by Kudumbashree women. Modern equipments, classes on health habits, cookery classes are conducted as part of this initiative. The project is implemented in urban areas.
Kudumbashree Women Construction Teams:The concept is developed and designed with the support of HUDCO. Women having civil engineering background are trained as consultants, diploma/ITI holders in civil engineering are provided site supervision training & unskilled/semi skilled women labourers (masons) are given skill up gradation training in construction techniques. The training module is developed by Laurie Baker Center for Habitat Studies and training is provided by KITCO, Kochi, & Archana Women’s Center, Kottayam. The objective is to upgrade, diversify and certify the skills of labourers in new technologies and emerging standards in the construction industry, as a pilot, the project is implemented in Ernakulam and based on its success, will be replicated in cities.
Training Groups:
An enterprise of training specialists from the community network of Kudumbashree.(EKSAT and TRISAT)
KAASS: Kudumbashree Accounts & Audit Service Society; a home grown enterprise to ensure proper account keeping in the community network.