Small acts have ripple effects. A generous thought like planting a mango tree — under whose shade the elderly rest, in whose embrace kids play and whose fruits sustain everyone — often transcends oneself, impacting the community at large.
A similar intent, coupled with empathy led to the creation of The Mango House, a design-led not-for-profit organisation.
As a pioneer craft-led initiative, The Mango House Trust was inspired by the vision to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the marginalised, especially women artisans.
“The journey began with a commitment to revive traditional craft skills, and give back to Goa — where I have lived for the last decade — providing a pathway for women to earn a dignified income, while preserving the cultural of handmade crafts,” says Rupinder ‘Renee’ Kaur, founder of The Mango House Trust.
The name ‘The Mango House Trust’ was, in fact, inspired by the spirit of abundance, growth, and nurturing, much like a mango tree.
“It symbolises our commitment to creating a space where women can grow, thrive and share their talents with the world,” mentions Kaur.
FOUNDER IN ACTION: Rupinder Kaur at one of the organisation's workshops. With an approach that puts the emphasis on upskilling and innovative zero-waste craft techniques, the organisation focuses on creating beautifully designed, high-quality, products.
“We basically operate by offering craft training, upskilling workshops, and ongoing support for women artisans. We work closely with each artisan to refine their skills, especially in crochet — a craft that is zero waste and has a deep cultural connection through generations,” Kaur shares.
"My process involves thoughtfully curating the products that are functional and durable, with the goal of reducing consumerism in today's fast-paced fashion world," says Ruchi Bhakoo, the Design Head at The Mango House.
Today, with training programs designed to upskill women, The Mango House Trust has created a supportive community, where artisans, who previously had limited economic opportunities, are now able to express their creativity, and build a sense of pride and confidence in their work.
“One of the best moments was seeing the transformation in our artisans. Like Aisha, who transformed her hobby into a reliable source of income and gained newfound confidence and pride through her work at The Mango House Trust,” smiles Kaur.
The public can make a difference by purchasing these treasures, which includes home décor items, accessories and gifting pieces at their web shop (shop.themangohouse.org) or at stores such as The Museum of Goa Shop in Pilerne, Josmo Studio in Porvorim, and Conscious Home Store in Siolim.
Kaur also invites anyone who supports slow fashion and community-driven initiatives to join in making a bigger impact.
“We welcome support in various forms, such as fund raising, contributions from textile artists, visual communicators, design volunteers, or donations to support artisan training. Additionally, we are also open to partnering with corporates to be a part of their CSR programs,” she adds.
Creating pieces that reflect their creativity and the rich cultural heritage of Goa, the women artisans at The Mango House Trust are, today, able to contribute to their families financially. And, more importantly, it has enabled them to achieve a sense of self-worth and independence.
Shop or get in touch with The Mango House Trust at:
SHOP ONLINE: shop.themangohouse.org
CONTACT: +91 99100 90095 (Rupinder ‘Renee’ Kaur)
