Leh (Jammu and Kashmir), Apr 11 : Many self-help groups in Choshut village of Leh are working on various social issues to help women become self-sufficient.

Shashi Self-Help Group, one of the oldest self-help groups in the region, had started with only six members and now at present, there are more than 15 women members working in the group.

Shashi self-help group is actively promoting local handicrafts. The group is also conducting workshops and giving training to women of different villages. The group is also promoting local handicrafts at the district level and at the state level.

"We are working for the last five years in this village and we have seen a lot of improvement in the lifestyle of the villagers. Nowadays, we are educating villagers about the health and hygiene. Our self-help group is working with various government agencies to improve our village standards as compared to other villages in the region," said Amina Khatoon, president of Shashi Self -Help Group.

The group also help women to make decorative home items. These handicraft goods are sold in the Leh market and income earned is later used for the benefit of the society.

The group is finding it difficult to get raw materials for handicrafts, as it is not available in the Ladakh region.

"I learned to make handicraft goods from my friend from south India. I was there for a year and later I joined self-help group in my village. Later, I became an instructor of the group. At present more then 15 women of the group were trained to make handicrafts, from where they can earn some income. Here in Ladakh, we can't get raw materials for making handicraft goods. We are looking for the alternative source from where we can get raw material here in Leh," said Zara Bano, Instructor of a self-help group.

The self-help groups are also working on several social issues such as keeping the entire village and schools clean. The groups are also helping government health workers during their visits to the village, such as during pulse polio drive and educating villagers to improve their living standards. (ANI)