Shakti, empowering women and uplifting lives

Through Shakti, a small number of women and girls are empowered with skills that enable them to earn a living that helps to uplift their lives. 

On 27 November, the products made by these women were showcased at the Shakti stall in the annual International Christmas Charity Bazaar which was held at the Hilton Colombo Residences.

Although this was the very first time Shakti was represented at this annual event, it managed to win the Best Charity Award among all the other charity stalls at the bazaar.

With the exception of handmade greeting cards, all the items produced at Shakti are fabric based – in particular, made up of Sri Lanka handloom combined with carefully selected imported prints. Most products carry a specially printed ‘brand themed’ lining which the ladies at Shakti fondly call “our Shakti lining” as they go about their work. 

With regard to the cards, two young girls aged 17 and 19 are the specialists, producing creatively quilled cards, among others. 

Each handmade product is individually crafted, whether a fabric item or cards, and is carefully quality checked. Each crafter is paid a predetermined price for each satisfactorily produced item. Thereafter, the items are put in the inventory and tagged and individually packed, ready for sale at the Shakti/Tea Tang premises at No. 11 Havelock Road.

This is the very same premises where these women and girls are taught the skills to sew and perfect the quality aspects of the beautiful Shakti products... besides having a fresh take on the well-known handloom by incorporating classic, fun and unique prints that are sourced outside Sri Lanka, the finish is something that Shakti is extremely particular about and takes pride in. This has been emphasised to each and every person who joined Shakti ever since its inception three years ago. Shakti is happy that they have been able to achieve this, even though workshops are conducted at intervals as far apart as every six to 10 weeks at times.

Shakti was started by two ladies from overseas with the help of another volunteer from Sri Lanka. The Shakti workshops were originally started in Ahungalla at the Ahungalla Heritance where a venue was kindly offered by the hotel until Shakti started renting its own premises in Havelock Road, Colombo to carry out its work. 

Shakti belongs to the SHA Foundation which was established as a formal, transparent and accountable avenue for various charitable work to be carried out in Sri Lanka. SHA focuses mainly on teaching and upgrading of skills, and supporting those in need of medical assistance.

The acronym SHA in SHA Foundation stands for two special parents, Sepala and Hemalatha Amarasuriya. The foundation was set up as a dedication to their memory and hopes to continue their lifelong passion to give back to society by reaching out to those in need.

Some of the products made by the women include many types of bags such as tote bags (with and without zips), reversible tote bags, messenger bags (cross body bags), drawstring backpacks, toiletry cases, iPad cases, lunch bags (large and small), pencil cases, coin purses and greeting cards and speciality Christmas products such as decorative rings (wreaths), wine bottle covers and Christmas cards. 

The Shakti charity shop also known as Shakti Gallery is situated at No. 11 Havelock Rd, Colombo 5. It can be reached via 0117276592 or [email protected]. Opening days and times are: Monday to Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. It is closed on Sundays.