Mon Ami Foundation - Blogs #migrantwomenMon Ami Foundation - Blogs #migrantwomenhttps://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/tag/migrantwomenThu, 30 Jul 2026 21:19:14 +0530http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Storytelling for Impact: How NGOs Can Win Corporate Partnerships]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/storytelling-for-impact-how-ngos-can-win-corporate-partnershipsNGOs win corporate trust through storytelling—real human journeys turn data into emotion, building lasting, purpose‑driven partnerships.]]>
Storytelling for Impact

What makes a company choose one NGO over another? It isn’t always the size of the organization or the number of projects completed. More often, it comes down to one simple question: What difference did you make?


In today’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) landscape, companies want more than reports filled with numbers. They want to understand the people behind those numbers. As fundraising expert Ken Burnett famously said, “People give to people, not to organizations.” That principle increasingly shapes corporate partnerships.


Why Stories Matter More Than Numbers

Stories have a unique ability to do what data alone cannot: they create connection. A report might say that 500 women were trained, but the story of one woman who gained financial independence, sent her children to school, or discovered her own confidence gives those numbers meaning.


Research published in the Harvard Business Review found that people who feel an emotional connection are 52% more valuable to an organization than those who are simply satisfied. Whether it’s a customer, donor, or CSR partner, genuine connection begins with a story.


Building Trust Through Storytelling

Strong partnerships don’t grow because a company writes a cheque. They thrive when both organizations believe in the same goal and trust each other enough to work towards it. Strengthening Civil Society (SCS Global) describes partnerships as relationships built on shared purpose, collaboration, and mutual respect—not simply funding.


That trust has to be earned, and one of the simplest ways to earn it is by telling honest stories about the work being done.


Case Studies: Stories That Changed the Game

Think about what people remember after reading an annual report. It usually isn’t the graphs or percentages—it’s the story of the person whose life changed.

  • The Global Fund’s “Here I Am” campaign let beneficiaries speak about their own experiences, turning statistics into lived realities.
  • Organizations like charity: water have long used storytelling to help supporters understand the people behind every project. The numbers were still there, but they finally had meaning.


Mon Ami Foundation: Stories Behind Every Product

At Mon Ami Foundation, every artisan, entrepreneur, and woman has her own journey. Some are learning a skill for the first time. Others are turning that skill into an income that supports their family. These stories deserve to be told because they remind us that behind every handcrafted product is a person who worked hard to create it. The product matters—but the person behind it matters even more.


The Bottom Line

Companies don’t partner with NGOs because of impressive presentations alone. They partner with organizations they understand and trust. Data may show the impact of a program, but stories help people believe in it. And when belief is backed by measurable results, partnerships become stronger, longer lasting, and capable of creating real change.


This blog is contributed by Aanavi Anand, a student of lady Shri Ram College for Women

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanavi-anand-0a6b91308/

]]>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:35:30 +0530<![CDATA[CSR Dashboards: Making Transparency Work for Communities]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/csr-dashboards-making-transparency-work-for-communitiesCSR dashboards often show numbers for investors, but true transparency means including community voices, outcomes, and stories—not just data points.]]>
CSR Dashboards: Making Transparency Work for Communities

Open any company’s CSR report today and you’ll likely find a dashboard: neat charts showing donation amounts, volunteer hours, and the number of communities “reached.” It looks like transparency. But pause for a moment—transparent to whom?


Most CSR dashboards are designed with investors and regulators in mind. They exist to prove compliance under laws like Section 135 of the Companies Act and to reassure stakeholders that social spending is real, measurable, and accountable. That is a legitimate need. Numbers build trust, and trust is hard to earn without evidence. A well-designed dashboard can also help companies identify which programmes are working and redirect resources faster than a year-end report ever could.


Yet here lies the gap: a dashboard full of impressive totals can still tell a beneficiary nothing about whether their own life has changed. A village may appear as a data point in a “communities reached” figure while having no way to see what was promised, what was delivered, or whom to approach if it fell short. Transparency often flows upward to boardrooms rather than outward to the people it claims to represent. This is where accusations of “CSR-washing” arise—numbers that look accountable while the people on the ground remain unheard.


For transparency to genuinely serve communities, dashboards must include the community’s own voice, not just administrative figures. That means:

    • Beneficiary feedback integrated into reporting.
    • Outcome tracking at an individual or household level.
    • Accessible formats that allow communities to question and engage with the data.


    The MAMTA Institute for Mother and Child’s beneficiary feedback pilot in Kaushambi District shows what this can look like in practice. By giving communities, a direct channel to raise issues and see them addressed, feedback volumes rose sharply, and most respondents reported real improvements in service delivery.


    A recent Times of India report underscores the scale of the challenge. Despite CSR spending crossing thousands of crores in a single year, a nationwide study found that most NGOs—especially smaller ones—still struggle to access those funds. The disconnect between intent and impact remains stark.


    At Mon Ami Foundation, we try to bridge this gap. Rather than reducing an artisan’s progress to a single number, our impact stories highlight each woman’s tangible gains in skill, income, and confidence. A dashboard can show that a hundred artisans were trained. A story can show what that training actually meant for one of them. Real transparency probably needs both: the dashboard’s scale and the story’s honesty.


    Works Cited

      • MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child. Beneficiary Feedback Mechanisms Case Study: India. World Vision UK, 2016, feedbackmechanisms.org/public/files/MAMTAIndia.pdf.
      • Clear White Space. CSR Washing. Clear White Space, www.clearwhitespace.com/post/csr-washing. Accessed 12 July 2026.
      • CallMyCA. CSR Section 135 Companies Act 2013 Explained. CallMyCA, callmyca.com/blog/csr-section-135-companies-act-2013-explained. Accessed 12 July 2026.
      • Rupera, Prashant. Corporate Intent vs Community Impact: Big CSR Spend, Small Impact. The Times of India, 25 Aug. 2025, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/corporate-intent-vs-community-impact-big-csr-spend-small-impact/articleshow/123488897.cms.


      Contributed by Shreya Mangla, student St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University

      https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreya-mangla-03486124a/

      ]]>      Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:01:00 +0530      <![CDATA[Craft Musings]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/craft-musingsCraft encourages mindful living by honouring time, skill, and human connection. Handmade objects remind us to value process over consumption and appreciate the artisans, care, and stories behind every creation.]]>
      Craft Musings

      In a world shaped by speed, convenience, and endless consumption, craft asks us to slow down.

      Every handmade object carries the imprint of time. It is not produced instantly, nor without thought. It emerges through repetition, patience, and an intimate dialogue between the maker and the material. Each knot tied, stitch placed, thread woven, or surface shaped is a deliberate act of attention.

      This process stands in direct contrast to mindless consumption.

      When we encounter something handcrafted, we are invited to pause. We notice the irregularities, the textures, and the subtle marks of the human hand. These details remind us that this object did not simply appear—it was imagined, shaped, and brought into being with intention.

      That pause is significant.

      It creates a moment of mindfulness, encouraging us to reflect on the journey of the objects that fill our lives. Who made them? What skills were required? How much time and care were invested? What materials were transformed, and what stories do they carry?

      Craft restores visibility to labour that is often hidden in modern systems of production. It reconnects us with the value of process over immediacy, meaning over excess, and purpose over disposability.


      To make is to honour time.


      To appreciate craft is to honour the hands behind it.


      To choose handmade is to engage more consciously with what we bring into our lives.


      Craft interrupts consumption by reminding us that objects are never just objects. They are embodiments of intention, skill, and human connection.


      In that mindful pause, we begin to consume differently—with greater awareness, gratitude, and respect for the world and the people who shape it.


      To support the Artisans, visit: www.craftsaq.com

      ]]>      Mon, 18 May 2026 10:50:15 +0530      <![CDATA[Why Should All the Turtles Look the Same?]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/why-should-all-the-turtles-look-the-sameWhy Should All the Turtles Look the Same? In our CraftHub, this question sparks endless debate:  why should all the turtles look the same?  As ]]>
      Turtle
      Why Should All the Turtles Look the Same?

      In our CraftHub, this question sparks endless debate: why should all the turtles look the same? As we build capacity and train artisans to produce multiple units of the same product, we aim for a remarkable 95% likeness across dozens of pieces. It’s a demanding standard, especially when multiple artisans are racing against deadlines. Even when the design criteria are met, subtle differences emerge—tiny variations in curve, finish, or detail.


      Our buyers, though supportive of artisan work, often come from a background of purchasing bulk, machine-made imports from neighbouring countries. They are accustomed to absolute uniformity: rows of identical products, each indistinguishable from the next. Against that backdrop, our handcrafted pieces sometimes feel “different.” And so begins the delightful conversation: why should they all look the same?


      Machines excel at replication. They erase individuality in favour of efficiency. But handmade products carry the imprint of the human hand—the rhythm of the artisan’s skill, the nuance of their touch, the story of their craft. Each piece is not just an object; it is a signature. When we pause from machine-made perfection, we discover beauty in individuality. The slight differences are not flaws; they are proof of authenticity.


      Uniformity has its place in mass production. But in artisan work, sameness risks stripping away the very soul of the craft. Buyers who embrace individuality are not just purchasing a product; they are investing in heritage, creativity, and human connection. Each turtle, while similar, carries its own personality. And isn’t that worth celebrating?


      So, the next time someone asks why all the turtles don’t look the same, perhaps the better question is: why would we want them to?

      ]]>      Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:59:02 +0530      <![CDATA[The Crochet Movement: Weaving threads of continuity, to empower women]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/the-crochet-movement-weaving-threads-of-continuity-to-empower-women

      The Crochet Movement: Weaving threads of continuity, to empower women

      It gives me great pride to pay my college fees with my own earnings, gushes one of the participants, aged 20, poring over the intricate design she creates with the crochet needle in her hand

      India is built on a culture of craft and weaving, as is evident by the archaeological discovery of a small shred of cotton cloth stuck to a pottery shard dated back to the Harappa and Mohenjo-daro settlements of 2600 BC. Women in particular are intrinsically linked to heritage arts and crafts.

      These knowledge systems of weaving and creation, are interconnected, as they have been passed down from one generation to the next, to ensure continuity between communities and their ecosystems. When Mon Ami Foundation began work with migrant women in the NCR region, this intrinsic crafting know-how allowed for ease of training. Inherent dexterity, aesthetic acumen, fluidity of movement and innate skills ensure that these women learn crochet with minimum effort to create contemporary designs, under the guidance of our trainers.

      The team at Mon Ami Foundation conducts face-to-face classes daily, where women are skilled, reskilled and upskilled to learn new stiches, finishing techniques and patterns. Today, with the onset of the pandemic, our training sessions have continued remotely via technology. These group training sessions create lasting bonds between women who have been displaced from their homes, giving them a sense of community. Often, little girls who accompany their mothers, show a keen interest in the art and pick up the skill alongside. Going forward, Mon Ami is looking to set up "Train the Trainer Programs" to broaden the scope on the number of women they can impact

      Women play a crucial role in the growth of any economy, and hence, it is essential to promote skill development to provide high productivity, increased employment opportunities and higher income. We can realise Goal # 5 of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, that of gender equality, by harnessing the power of women as key agents to achieve socio-economic transformation. Recognizing this, Mon Ami Foundation, in partnership with HCL Foundations Craft Hub, has embarked on setting up the largest Crochet movement in the country.

      To become a market linkage partner or to commission direct projects, do connect: contact@monamifoundation.com
      ]]>      Wed, 06 Jan 2021 17:34:00 +0530      <![CDATA[Recrafting Lives Through a Crochet Connect]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/recrafting-lives-through-a-crochet-connect

      Recrafting Lives Through a Crochet Connect

      Crochet, the art of creating a textured fabric using yarn and a single hook, has been carried on since the 16th century. Skilled hands make intricate designs through the hypnotic in & out movement of a hook, therapeutic in itself, while finished products lend themselves to an immense sense of personal accomplishment.

      Although there is no concrete evidence, the Macraes, a missionary couple from Scotland, are credited with the introduction of crochet to India in the early 20th century. Initially used for prayer rugs & caps within the Muslim community and in Christian ceremonies, crochet has transcended all boundaries and become popular across the country. Women in India took to crocheting with ease, possibly on account of their inherent predisposition to craft.

      Today, with an influx of migrant workers into cities, there has been a paradigm shift in the way women are expected to contribute to the family income. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of migrant women are able to seek employment as they are burdened with frequent pregnancies, child-care responsibilities, caring for the elderly and coping with health issues. How are these women to overcome their challenges and contribute to the family income?

      Mon Ami Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit Trust is committed to helping these migrant women earn a sustainable livelihood through crochet skill building efforts. Crochet, is an extremely useful skill to impart for the following reasons:
      • Low initial investment can start with a crochet work-from-home bundle
      • Easy to teach and learn
      • All age groups can be trained
      • Cannot be unlearned can fall back on the skill anytime
      • Provides a sense of community working in self-help groups
      • Option to conduct remote training through technology
      • Can work from home free time can be used to earn additional income
      Although migrant women have been displaced, crochet allows them to reconnect with their intrinsic skills and create products by hand. Working independently, Mon Ami Foundation has trained 400 women. Today, along with HCL Foundations Craft Hub, Mon Ami Foundation has trained 100 women in NCR. Together, they are in the process of setting up the largest crochet movement in the country.

      To become a market linkage partner or to commission direct projects, do connect: contact@monamifoundation.com

      ]]>      Thu, 03 Dec 2020 18:16:00 +0530