Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF) trains weavers in areas with no viable work within their immediate area. These areas are selected on the basis of a survey by the Government of India identifying the most economically backward geographies in the country.
These are typically villages that rely entirely on the seasonal employment of agriculture. Through Jaipur Rugs Foundation’s intervention a means of a living is provided year round that does not depend on unreliable weather conditions and seasonality.
The ‘Alternative Education Program’ (AEP) provides functional literacy to illiterate artisans and village community members who were not able to complete primary education. The ambit of this ‘alternative education’ is basic literacy and numeracy skills, and developing an understanding of health, hygiene, family life, education and the environment while building their confidence so that they become more self-reliant in applying their learning in multifarious ways.
In late 2010, AEP was conceptualized and started in partnership with Jenny Jones Rugs and Peter Larsen – buyers and supporters of Jaipur Rugs.
