Sustainable Livelihoods Enhancement and Diversification (SLED)

• Throughout the project we made it very clear to the islanders that while we were discussing and going
into personal details of the individual, we did not have the resources to directly support change for
everyone. We played the part of a community counselor/facilitator and helped them discover their
strengths; to see the way forward and find the motivation and strength to move forward.
• Previously we weren’t aware of the differences in livelihoods and aspirations across the community.
SLED has helped us to understand the diversity of livelihoods and better engage with the people.
Learning was spontaneous and transparent. We are now in a better position to address and support
different groups of people from across the community such as, women, youth and fishers.
• Following SLED the community has greater confidence that their aspirations will be voiced and that
they themselves can work towards achieving their visions.
Centre for Action Research on Environment Science and Society (CARESS)
CARESS is a non-profit organisation based in Chennai conducting outreach work in India focusing on
isolated communities associated with coral reef areas and the Trans-Himalaya. Activities include
environmental education and awareness, community based monitoring, and socioeconomic assessments.
CARESS conducts exposure tours to identify viable livelihood options, and help people identify the options
available to them to take up environmentally sustainable livelihoods. To achieve our mission we network with
other research and development institutions, relevant Government departments and the private sector. We
also run a small micro credit project and provide small business loans to women’s self help groups.
Community story – Working with people to help them achieve their potential
Mrs. Nafeesath ME, was a silent partner in a family bakery business. After taking part in a SLED visioning
session, her individual vision was to have personal financial independence. We walked though the various
paths to achieve her dream by listing her strengths. She felt she could manage a sweet and snack making
unit because of her earlier experience with the bakery. She had noted that many families in Minicoy were
purchasing these items from Kerala and bringing them home. She thought that there would be great
demand for fresh products made in Minicoy.
During the SLED discussions, she learnt about the different service providers and the possibility of taking
loan from the local bank. Her family was supportive and helped her prepare a business plan for the bank.
She took a loan for IRs 200,000 and started the business. Her intuition proved right. The unit started in
April 2007 and within no time the products (ladoo, burfeee, chips, mixture) became popular all over the
island. The snacks and sweets are sold through established shops in the Island, They also target events
such as marriages and school functions for selling their products in bulk. She currently employs 3 people
and has a turn over of around IRs 300,000, making a profit of IRs 30,000 month. They have paid off 40% of
their loan in one year of establishment.
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