Make an everlasting difference in lives of rural poor through Internship with Jaipur Rugs

Contents:

·Jaipur Rugs – Brief Introduction

·Concept Note Overview

·Psycho-economic Model of Jaipur

·Awards & Recognitions

·Purpose of volunteering / internship

·Who Should Apply for?

·Topics for Volunteering / Internship

·Logistic support & facilities

·A Typical day of Volunteers /Interns

·Project Obligation & Reporting

·What benefit volunteers/interns will get?

Jaipur Rugs – Brief Introduction

Jaipur Rugs is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of hand knotted rugs in India and is known the world over not just for its exquisite rugs but also for its unique business-development model that links grassroot artisans with global markets through its inclusive supply chain. Apart from getting featured in the globally acclaimed 'Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid' in the year 2009, the organization has received a number of awards and its working model is being talked, researched and written about by a diverse set of stakeholders from among the government, industry, media and academia. The details of such recognitions and coverage are given at the end of this document. Jaipur Rugs has its head office in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India and its field operations are spread across 5 states of India – Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. From legal standpoint, Jaipur Rugs group comprises three distinct but intertwined legal entities:

1.Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF) – skill development and social development

2.Jaipur Rugs Company Private Limited (JRCPL) - production processes and supply chain

3.Jaipur Rugs Incorporated (JRI) - marketing and distribution network in the US

Concept Note Overview

This Concept Note gives a brief snapshot of the potential of carpet industry in generating sustainable livelihoods among poor populace inhabiting remote rural locations of Bihar and the role of Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF) in such endeavor. Jaipur Rugs already has its operational presence in Bihar since the start of the current year 2012 and within this short period, it has been able to mobilize around 500 artisans (both male and female) to get associated with the organization. On the basis of the experience this far, there is a strong case for expanding our field operational base in the state and thus, contributing in development trajectory of the state.

·Awards and Recognitions Received by Jaipur Rugs

Ø'Business Gaurav SME Awards 2012' by the D&B – Axis Bank(2012)

Ø'State Award for Export Excellence' by the Government of Rajasthan (2012)

Ø'Villgro Social Enterprise Award 2011' by Villgro Innovations Foundation India (2011)

Ø'India Pride Award 2011' by Dainik Bhaskar Group India (2011)

Ø'Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010-Start Up' by Ernst & Young, India

Ø'Distinguished Entrepreneurship Award' by PHD Chamber (2010)

Ø'Highest Export Performance for Hand Knotted Carpets' by CEPC, Govt. of India (2010)

Ø'Award of Excellence - Floor Covering' by HFN (2010)

Ø'Sankalp 2010 : Social Enterprise Awards & Investment Forum' by Sankalp Forum (2010)

Ø'Certificate of Appreciation'by FICCI-SEDF (2010)

Ø'Indian Achievers Award For Business Excellence'by Indian Achievers forum (2010)

Ø'Emerging Women Entrepreneur Award' to Kavita Chaudharyby IILM (2009)

Ø'Award of Excellence - Floor Covering' by HFN (2009)

Ø'American Graphic Design Award ' by Graphics Design USA (2009)

Ø'Best SME for CSR ' by Business Today & Yes Bank (2009)

Ø'Star Export House' by Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (2009)

Ø'Excellence Award' by the Institute of Economic Studies (2007)

Ø'America's Magnificent Carpet Award' by America's Mart (2006)

Ø'Certificate of Merit' by Carpet Export Promotion Council of India (2004 and 2003)

Ø'State Award for Export Excellence' by the Government of Rajasthan (2003)

Ø'Gold Trophy Award' by Carpet Export Promotion Council of India (1994)

·Purpose of volunteering / Internship with Jaipur Rugs

Jaipur Rugs invites people from different walks of life, social and business entrepreneurs, academic scholars, business students or professionals who are having passion to work for rural poor in India and thrilled to stay in the remote villages of India. Participants will make sure that they are being change agents and significant contributors in the surroundings so that Jaipur Rugs could utilize their passion, skill, potential and precious time for socio-economic empowerment of rural community. We strongly believe that skill building coupled with empowerment and social awareness will make them enable to have greater access to public services available around them. Insuring economic freedom, better health and sanitation, education and awareness building, imbibing basic life skills and bringing them under the umbrella of improved social security are the operational areas where one can contribute as a volunteer or intern. We welcome those participants as well who would like to research on the issue and help us in replicating this process where ever it can help the needy and poorest. We also appreciate those who could research for us and help in strengthening our man power or process by doing documentation, preparing presentation, documentaries, language translation etc.

·Who should apply for?

One should check the following consideration before taking any final decision regarding securing their candidature for the volunteering or internship –

oAS mentioned above if you are finding yourself fit to cater the purpose mentioned above and you have at least 10-12 months or more to stay at the project

oOne shouldn't mind his / her working hours as per convenient for beneficiaries

oWilling to adapt unfavorable climatic conditions or seasonal changes in context of Indian weather

oYou will be comfortable working alone or with fellow volunteers or interns

oYou wouldn't mind paying for the services that are not promised to you or are beyond our internal resource allocation

oYou will be honest and focused towards your assignment agreed and will be reporting accordingly and timely to your project supervisor /co-coordinator

oYou wouldn't devote your project time for personal pleasure or commitment ; but if you are finding something interesting you must have to get permission to do so

oYou wouldn't mind strictly following the code of conducts and would be do nothing that undermine the local custom and culture of the local community

·Topic for volunteering / internships

oEducational awareness, literacy and skill development (reading & writing) to women and girl adolescents of the rural community

oHealth awareness and physical fitness of rural community specially women

oResearch and documentation on socio - economic empowerment of rural poor

oPreparing documentary or short film on various social issues

oFund raising for the ongoing project support

oResearch & documentation

oCommunication and branding

oDeveloping new letter

oWriting articles for national and international media

oCurriculum developing

oStaff training

·Logistic support & Facilities

Jaipur Rugs welcomes each and every individual contribution and support from around the globe in this process of socio-economic transformation of communities as per need of the hours and hence providing a platform to act upon. It would take care of certain facilities and would make avail at no cost for volunteers and interns from abroad but some of it would be passed on to them to keep this process sustainable and financially viable. The below mentioned facilities are categorically divided as such for more clarity.

S. No.	Facilities	JRF will be paying for	Volunteers / interns will be paying for
1.	English speaking Project executive for communication and activities support	√	×
2.	Accommodation	√	×
3.	Food (Breakfast, lunch & Dinner)	×	√
4.	Communication facilities (local SIM card and access to office telephone)	√	×
5.	Access to Computer & Internet	√	×
6.	Transportation facilities for project purpose	√	×
7.	Transportation facilities for non-project purpose i.e. excursion, market visits etc.	×	√
8.	Stationaries and other supplies as per project requirements	√	×
9.	Recreational resources e.g. locally available books, games etc.	√	×
10.	Pick up and transportation to project during arrival	×	√
11.	Dropping to Airport / nearest railway station at the end of the project	×	√
12.	Escort during excursion or local visits	×	√
13.	Expenses regarding health & Medical emergencies	×	√
14.	Water purifier	√	×

·A typical day for volunteers / interns

Jaipur Rugs aims to make sure that the volunteers and interns keep their focus on achieving the goals in a precise and time bound manner but at the same time they can avail this rarest opportunity to explore India at their weekends. From Monday to Friday they will be doing project work and Saturday & Sunday will be off for them to go onto weekend excursions of their choice. During their stay in Jaipur their typical day will be as follows -

Week days	Duration of Activity
Monday to Friday	Before 9:30 AM
9:30 – 13:00 hours	Morning Project work
13:00 – 13:30 hours	Lunch hour
13:30 – 18:00 hours	Afternoon project work
18:00 – 20:30 hours	Down time for interns and volunteers
20:30 hours	Reporting back accommodation
Saturday & Sunday	Off for volunteers and interns; if they like they can opt for weekend excursion or stay back at the accommodation provided

During their stay to rural projects meal will be provided by Jaipur Rugs and project executive will be accompanying for language translation and other logistical support.

·Project obligations and reporting

Volunteers and interns would be expected to report back to project co-coordinator on every Friday at the given reporting format (if applicable). Jaipur Rug would always welcome to have new ideas and innovative approach from volunteers and interns. Though final implementation of such ideas would be subject to approval from project planning body after due consideration. At the end of successful completion and submission of reports of the project volunteers or interns would be entitled to get a certificate of participation from Jaipur Rugs. They would also be expected to fill up final feedback format to make the project more convenient and result oriented for the new coming volunteers and interns.

·What benefits volunteers / interns will get?

I.Personal

a.One of the rarest opportunities to make a difference in someone's' life

b.Great learning and sharing opportunity in a different work culture

c.Working for rural poor and hence indirectly working for their sustainable livelihood & skill building

II.Professional

a.Getting certificate of participation that will boost your CV

b.Your contribution would be recognized as a part of international cooperation

c.Can explore opportunity to be employed with Jaipur Rugs

d.Can enter into partnership with Jaipur Rugs

e.Can develop your entrepreneurship skill

III.Excursion and other opportunities

It would be one of the rarest opportunities and real thrill of your life to see the untouched beauty of rural Rajasthan along with making a significant contribution to their lives that they really deserve. There are many more places nearby you would like to visit more than once around your project and many you can go on to your weekend excursion. A few of them are listed below –

oLocal Excursion points within the vicinity of 70 km

1.Siliserh Lake

2.Sariska Tiger Project

3.Bhangarh Fort

4.Abhaneri Stepwel

5.Other nearby places of Attraction

oWeekend excursion points

1.Forts and Monuments in Jaipur

2.Camel Safari in Pushkar

3.Taj Visit to Agra

4.Visit to City of Lake - Udaipur

5.Other Attractions of Rajasthan Visit

Beside this one can utilize this opportunity to learn Hindi, Yoga, Heena, Indian cooking, local craft etc.