FOGSI conference reserves stall for dolls from relief camps
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 23 2023: After successfully exporting to nine countries crochet dolls made by displaced persons staying in different relief camps under 'Project Stitching Hope', the popular dolls from the relief camps now find a market in the soil of the state.

The first public sale of these dolls was facilitated at the ongoing FOGSI East Zonal Conference with YUVA 2023, where a stall was reserved for these dolls.

To draw the visitors with a rather emotional tone, the stall has a big display of the words 'Adopt a Doll', and it was able to draw the attention of the delegates from different states.

Singapore-based One Million Hero's founder Monish Karam, who is spearheading the doll project for providing income opportunities to the displaced women, told The People's Chronicle that 'Project Stitching Hope' is an initiative to provide income opportunities to the displaced women and also to keep alive their hopes in this trying time.

Trainings were provided to the displaced women in different relief camps after which they were provided raw materials and design.

His company collects the finished products and sells them in different countries through campaigns during October and November, he said and added that over 500 dolls have been sold so far in nine countries including Canada, USA, Sweden, UK, Australia and Oman.

He also said that over 50 displaced women in around seven relief camps were provided training and raw materials.

At least 31 families are not making dolls and they are getting weekly income through the sale of their products.

Though these products have been sold in different countries, no sales event has been organised in the state and the stall at the conference being held in RIMS is the first sale here.

The main idea behind this stall is not to the sale but to remind the visiting delegates about the situation in the state and the stories of the displaced families when they return home, he informed.

Expressing concern on reports of duplicate dolls making their way into the market, he said that the doll designs under 'Project Stitching Hope' are copyrighted and patent applications have been filed.

He appealed to all those involved in such operations to stop such practices considering the hardships faced by the displaced families.

Imphal dealer of medical equipment company Karl Storz, Bikiran Kshetrimayum, who bought a doll for adoption, told The People's Chronicle that the dolls produced by the displaced people are special and the design is unique.

He feels happy to learn that by adopting the doll, he is helping one of the displaced families, he added.

Comment