A Social Design Product That is Tackling The Pandemics Hunger Crisis

At present there is a hunger crisis happening throughout the world caused by a multitude of factors linked to the coronavirus pandemic and the interruption of the economic order such as; the sudden loss in income for countless millions who were already living hand-to-mouth and the widespread shortages of hard currency from tourism drying up.

At this time I am actively taking on products that are getting food into mouths for those most in need. Such as our new instore bags from Colaba and Co, an already amazing businesses that provides sustainable employment to those living in the slums of Dharavi (Mumbai) . The business is switching to philanthropy in this time of need. Colaba and Co’s producer Abdul, who is seeing the starvation first hand has made a commitment during this hunger crisis to put all his profits towards feeding the hungry.

Experts around the world are saying that never before have we faced a hunger emergency like this. “In India, thousands of workers are lining up twice a day for bread and fried vegetables to keep hunger at bay.” (The New York Times)

Almost all the people in the slums are daily wage earners and during the pandemic lockdowns for those not going to work for so long, it means they have absolutely no money and hence cannot buy food.  This is a quote from a Dharavi resident “The lockdown has been extended. For us the news is clear: more days without work and food. We want you to reach out to the people of Dharavi. Please help our families with at least basic food and supplies” (m.hindustantimes.com).

Our philosophy here at Aware… the social design project is hand-up, not hand out, but sometimes, like in pandemic, a little bit of both is needed. And these beautiful handmade bags are a social design project that are making resources available at time when they are most needed.