Hello everyone! Today we have a very special blog post. In 2002, a non-profit organization called, SEEMA (Social Endeavour to Elevate Mahila (women) Awareness) was founded by the Ramble family. It is a non-profit organization that gives women in India a chance to provide for themselves. Jenny Ramble answered a few questions on her non-profit, SEEMA.

An Interview with Jenny Ramble of SEEMA

1. How and why did you get started founding SEEMA?

………….the reason behind the SEEMA project goes back to 2002. A young beautiful woman in her late twenties stood before me in my office with two small beautiful girls. She had been directed to me as her husband had thrown her out of the house. Her fault was that she had not given birth to a boy. In the Hindu culture it is mandatory for the son to light the funeral pyre of his father or else his spirit will not find nirvana. Girls are banned from entering the cremation grounds. Hence the fear of the father led to his finding himself another wife who would give him a son. He was a Hindu and the lady before me was a Christian. As she stood before me my mind raced with thoughts and fears of the ladys’ future. I asked her if she could read or write. As her parents were very poor farmers they couldn’t afford to send her to school, so she was illiterate. On probing I found out she knew how to weave. I then got her the necessary stakes of wood to drive into the field, some thread and she showed me how to weave. And that was the beginning of seema………….we have never looked back. It has evolved greatly as we started out with plastic rope bags!! Today we only use cotton threads dyed in our own facilities. For years we had no room. We would sit on the rooftop and in the heat of summer it was extremely difficult. Gradually we were able to build a room. However today we have more rooms and a special unit for dyeing the thread.

2. What population are you serving?

……..Regarding population…we are helping the abused, needy, widowed, and at risk girl or woman. They are from nearby villages in India where we live and from Nepal. Before the lockdown we had more than 46 ladies. However after the lockdown we have had to give 10 ladies a slot of 15 days work as we have hardly any income. We have a second facility in a village that is 5 miles away from the main head office. There could be more centres but finances and funds are low.

3. What difference are you making in those people's lives?

……Working in SEEMA gives the ladies a new lease of life. For eight hours everyday they are free from being abused and cursed and free from domestic violence. They find joy and camaraderie amongst each other. Over lunch hour they share food with one another and each others burdens. Their laughter, and joyful banter is a joy to hear. They often tell me that once they get home there is no smile, laughter and joy. So many lives have been touched over the years.

Ways You Can Help

So many people have been helped by SEEMA. If you can’t donate or purchase a bag or gift set, please spread the word! Share this blog post with all of your friends and family!