Aftertaste is a social enterprise started with the vision to empower women from marginalised communities through dignified livelihood using art and craft, knowledge and exposure and break the vicious cycle of economic and social poverty. Our women handcraft a range of stationery, home decor, utility products. These products are the source of their livelihood, dignity and identity.
Over the last 12 years, 80 women and 300 family members have been empowered to escape the cycle of inter-generational poverty. Today the next generation are accessing dignified opportunities, working as technologists, pharmacists, lawyers, bakers, baristas, accountants, operations associates and more.
Aftertaste was started inspired by the stories of hope and hardships shared by the women of Ambuzwadi whom our founder Shalini Datta met during her stint as a municipal school teacher to their children as a Teach for India fellow. She quit her corporate career as a technologist to pursue her long cherished passion to make education accessible to all children, and that paved the way to start Aftertaste, a platform which is not just about income generation through sales of products, but about women building stability, challenging entrenched beliefs and redrawing their life trajectories through craft.

Appeal

Over the last 10 years, 80 women have been financially empowered and life trajectories of their families have been altered. While these women have found livelihood, agency and dignity through craft, their financial resilience can be derailed by a sudden health emergency. Equally, there is a need to equip them with healthcare awareness and information to measures against preventable diseases. Given the challenging circumstances that they have fought, it is essential to introduce mental health and wellbeing conversations into their lives.
We request generous contributions to a medical fund - to safeguard against a health emergency and facilitate preventive healthcare - both mental and physical.

While the children of these artisans have expanded their horizons significantly, they do remain at a disadvantage with their peer groups and to obtain a level playing field would need access to better quality tuition and training, digital skills, interviewing and presentation skills to be career ready. We seek contribution to create a "centre of excellence" to enable the next generation to rise to their full potential and contribute to society.

These women and families have taken the first step to escape the cycle of intergenerational poverty, help them stay on that path !