Livelihoods
Over 20 Potter Clusters Trained
Daily Dump’s work over the years has also had a positive impact on the livelihoods of the traditional potter community, who make our signature terracotta composters.India had a very rich tradition of pottery and potters were respected craftspeople who contributed to the social, cultural and economic fabric of society. Now, potters children do not want to continue learning and practicing this craft.
Our products support and raise the value of this sector. Potters make more money in the clusters we work with than they did before they made our Composters - the Khamba, etc. Their value among their peers in their village has also risen because of coverage of their work in the press. We continue to engage and understand their aspirations, their notions of wellbeing and their work to learn and build solutions that can help. In one region because of our work, the state government invested in land and a common soil processing plant for the potter community and the second generation has decided to grow their enterprises instead of seeking jobs in the cities.
We have trained 20 potter clusters all over India and one in the UK and one in Chile in the making of our composter designs. Some of them are able to directly sell our designs through other channels in the market without our help.
Gallery
Halting Migration to the cities
The next generation choose to continue working in the craft in the village where we began our production. This photo has the local MP with all the young potter professionals, whose fathers have all worked on our products.
Using a mould to make the Khamba
In Ahmedabad the potters created a mould to make the Khambas
instead of using the wheel to throw the pot.
Mastery of the craft
A master potter puts the finishing touches to a leave it pot in Pokhran
The community of potters who have led the effort to create composters for India
The village where we began has seen increased incomes for the potter families
and lots of product diversity emerging
Women lead the way on product finishing
In Hyderabad a woman potter finishes the Kambha unit
and makes sure the holes are all in place for aeration
The early days
Working on our first Khamba in 2005!
Prototyping our signature terracotta composters
It has been very rewarding partnering with these skilled and enthusiastic craftspeople.
A great experience
It has been a wonderful journey with our first potter
- from a first plane ride to a new potter sheds
Production at scale
The composter pots are made in batches of 50 - 60 in one firing of the kiln
and the facilities have expanded over time in this village
From the individual to the community
Potters we work with now take pride in their work.
The Government has also opened a common soil processing plant in the potter cluster we work with.
Working with potters across the country
Quality control is sometimes a challenge in remote areas.
At other times, the nature of clay plays a deciding role.
Khamba Production in Dubri, Assam
We had done a project with the State Government in Assam
and had installed 220 Khambas in homes to encourage composting.
Composters in Rajasthan
Different models of our composters drying in the Rajasthan sun!
