Rehwa Society :

Handloom weaving in Maheshwar has an ancient history dating back more than 1500 years. The current tradition owes its resurgence to Maharani Ahilybai Holkar , who ruled the state of Indore from 1765 to 1795, and it was under her patronage that the weavers prospered.

With the coming of India’s independence, the patronage disappeared, leaving the weavers unable to find new markets.

Rehwa is a Not-for -Profit organization, started in 1979 , in response to the need to revitalize the weaving industry. Rehwa started with 3 objectives.

  • To sustain the hand weaving tradition of Maheshwar.
  • To empower the women weavers by giving employment and an income which would improve their lives.
  • To provide housing, healthcare and education to the weaver’s families.

Ahilya School :

One of the Society's marked successes is the Ahilya School. Rehwa Society founded the school in 1989 with a supporting grant from the German aid organization, BORDA. The first year started with 60 students and two teachers; each year saw the addition of another class and necessary teachers, until Standard 5 was reached in 1995. The following year, the Madhya Pradesh Government recognized the school. Today the student population is 240, supported by 16 teachers. Our school goes through grade 6, and will add a grade every year through grade 8. Rehwa Society subsidizes schooling, with tuition based upon the ability to pay. The poorest ten percent of our students receive full scholarships as do 10% of the brightest students.

The Ahilya School provides students with superior education. The new school building was inaugurated in 2002. Built with contributions from Rehwa Society, the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Educational Trust and the Dallas Foundation, our school building is the finest in the district. Our teaching staff has received basic training through the Montessori system, at the expense of the Rehwa Society. All have attended workshops and courses at the Center for Learning Resources, Pune, Eklavya at Barda, Bal Niketan Sangh at Indore, and Prerna at Bombay. Throughout the school's development, we have benefited from Ms. Ferozan Mehta as consultant. Her input has given the children a curriculum, which is rigorous enough to prepare them for successful entrance into government schools at grade 7, while at the same time emphasizing creativity, imagination, sports and the value of handloom weaving.

Special attention is paid to the environment through a school garden; students receive a free nourishing meal every day. Each student's health and physical development is monitored through Rehwa Society's subsidized health program. Student health care is assured through a subsidized participatory health scheme.

HOW TO HELP

The cost of one child's education for a year is $120. Besides their education, this includes a uniform, a nutritious meal, school books and lots of loving care. Should you care to help, we will send you pictures, report cards and welcome you to Ahilya Fort. Average medical expenses per family come to about the same amount, $120 a year. We have a resident health worker, and 3 specialists visit our health centre every week.

To donate online :

To send your contributions through cheque,
Send them to:

Rehwa Society,
51/52, First Floor,
Mehar Chand Market,
Lodhi Road,
New Delhi - 110003.
India.
Tel : (91-11) 24645125