YFLO Ahmedabad, in collaboration with Paryavaran Mitra and Manav Sadhna, transformed a space under a flyover at Khodiyar Nagar – previously used for scrap collection – into a training and production center for women. This initiative, supported by the Ahmedabad Municipality, has empowered a group of former ragpickers by giving them dignified, skill-based employment in cotton wick (divet) making.
● Centre Coordinator: A local woman trained to manage the operations and coordinate with the workforce.
● Marketing & Sales Head: Oversees distribution and market tie-ups for divet sales.
● Project Supervisor: A senior woman from the rag picker community who manages the entire project including gathering raw materials, supervising production, and motivating new members.
Women earn Rs. 10,000+ per month, choosing flexible full-time or part-time hours. Former ragpickers now work in a clean, organized environment. The divet-making business is self-sustaining with ongoing demand from religious and household markets.
The Chapter has also proposed to the Ahmedabad Municipality to convert more such underutilized spaces into training and employment hubs. This initiative not only generates livelihood but also transforms urban landscapes into spaces of empowerment and dignity.