If you’re looking for unique and thoughtful gifts, look no further. There are numerous NGOs across Mumbai that sustain themselves partially by retailing items made by their beneficiaries. Their wares make for perfect presents because they are unique and by purchasing them you get to encourage the efforts put in for self-sustenance and enterprise. So before you run out to do your festive gift shopping this season, check out some of these recommendations.
A Meaningful Gift: Here Are 8 NGOs In Mumbai To Shop Diwali Gifts
Om Creations, Mahalaxmi
Om Creations is a registered NGO in Mahalaxmi that ensures that the special students under their wing are skillfully trained to create elegantly designed and handcrafted items, which are ideal gifts for any occasion.
Products: Ceramic candle holders and twin mugs, bottle lamps, soap dishes, ceramics, wine bottle trays, handpainted diyas, torans and gift bags.
Prices: Their pricing starts at INR 100.
Where: You can shop online from their website and look at their collection on their social media pages. Delivery charges are extra. You can also reach out to them on this number: +91 8879211312
#LBBTip: Oh, and they've also got lip-smacking sweet goodies you can order.
Shradhha Charitable Trust, Tardeo
A pioneering non-profit vocational workshop, Shraddha Charitable Trust helps autistic adults earn a living by channeling their skills into crafting decorative and utility items. Their product range includes gift bags made from paper, jute, silk, with disposable leaf plates and bowls and much more being sold.
Products: For the festive season, they've got a big collection including tea light holders, decor items, gift boxes and cards, torans, wall hangings and a lot more.
Prices: Starting at INR 50
Where: You can shop online on their website
Aseema Charitable Trust
Aseema Charitable Trust is an NGO that works towards education for kids from low-income communities. They've tied up with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and provide trained teachers in English-medium public schools in the city and have set up a school in Igatpuri. They sell a variety of products that are inspired by artworks created by the kids themselves. The products showcase kids designs and also raise money for their educational programmes.
Products: Choose from accessories, artwork, stationery, household products, which include bed tables, trays, funky mugs, multipurpose holders, notebooks, storage and more.
Prices: Starting at INR 100
Where: You can shop online on their website
Women's India Trust, Mahim
Women's India Trust or WIT works towards empowering young girls and women with vocational training so that they can become more independent and self-reliant. They have a workshop where they teach useful skills like sewing, making handicrafts, jam making, handmade stationery, and more.
Products: The products range from home essentials to food staples. These include cushion covers, bed linen, jams and spreads, pickles, ethnic handicrafts, finger puppets (they're too cute) and more.
Prices: Starting at INR 200
Where: You can shop online on their website
Kshitij, Mumbai Central
Kshitij is an NGO situated in Mumbai Central that empowers intellectually challenged adults through therapeutic, creative and physical activities. It is a a student learning centre as well as a sheltered livelihood. They conduct workshops to upskill their wards. At Kshitij, you can find a range of handicrafts and different flavours of chocolates made especially by their wards.
Products: Colourful diyas to beautifully crafted rangolis, exquisitely designed and painted Ganpatis, chocolates made from healthy Khajurs and choco biscuits.
Prices: Starting at INR 100
Samvit Sudha, Tardeo
Their store in Tardeo is filled with handicrafts made by rural women from the interiors of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The assortment of products keeps changing, but the bags are what we love going back for! There's usually a separate section for seasonal products, like diyas, lamps and serving platters. This is a wonderful brand to rely on for bulk gifting and corporate orders.
Products: They sell handmade gift bags, totes, pillow covers, laptop bags, decoupage-based products like coasters and napkin holders, and more.
Prices: Starting at INR 95
Where: You can shop online on their website, or head to the Tardeo store
Jhappi, Mulund West
Founded by Bhumika Marwah and Bipin joshi, Jhappi's a store in Mulund that sells sustainable, high-quality products made by underprivileged artisans. Jhappi is not a retailer, but a partner, and works with several NGOs such as TOKAR, RAAH Foundation, Blue Mango Trust, Little Flower Khadi, and Craftizen Foundation, to name a few.
Products: Home-style snacks and chutneys, flours, home linens, clothing, bags, diyas, table runners and lots of home decor.
Prices: Starting at INR 95
Where: You can shop online on their website, or head to the Tardeo store
Swadeshi Haat Foundation, Online, And In Exhibitions All Over The City!
Now this is a store that doesn't have a permanent location, but you can still shop their products from their website. They set up stalls at local exhibitions really often, but make sure you follow their Instagram page to see where you can see them IRL. If you're looking for Diwali gifts, we suggest looking at their brassware, vases, wall art and yantras.
Products: Small furniture, clothing, recycled products, affordable home linens, bags, masalas, Panchgavya products, regional paintings
Prices: Starting at INR 95
Where: You can shop online or head to the exhibitions they are a part of