Call 01306 744 656 or
Call 01306 744 656 or
The Srishti Foundation makes a huge difference to Munnar’s families with special needs…
In the past, the Srishti Foundation was never really on the tourist radar. Even now, out of all Munnar’s visitors, only a handful of in-the-know guests enter its doors. The organisation was started in 1991 by the wives of TATA (India’s largest conglomerate), who recognised the distinct lack of resources and schools for families with special needs children. Without the appropriate childcare, this meant one less working hand in the tea plantations which in turn would have a negative impact on the quality of that family’s life. The Srishti Foundation I’m pleased to say has made a huge difference to those families.
On an excursion here, you’ll learn that Srishti is comprised of eight welfare units including its DARE school for children with special needs as well as numerous vocational training units covering sustainable craft projects from wood-free paper making to textile design. Did you know you can make paper out of pineapple, eucalyptus leaf and even elephant dung? – there’s plenty here as elephants are always meandering about the tea fields. And it’s beautifully done, sometimes using flowers handpicked from the gardens. The textile production is similarly amazing using only natural dye. I’ve even seen some of the designs in London Fashion Week. Since the foundation is pretty well established, in the past it has invited experts from northern India to offer training in signature block printing. The Dye House even welcomed revered textile artist and professor, Yoshiko Wada, to instruct them in shibori tie-dyeing.
Elsewhere you can wander the gardens growing strawberries, passion fruit, cauliflower and cabbage, or perhaps buy a sweet treat from the bakery whose chefs with hearing and speech impairments were trained by the Corporate Executive Chef of Taj Business Hotels. It’s a success story that’s been largely unsung. But now we feel we need to share it.
Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.
Freephone an expert 01306 744 656
