HAPACOOP

HAPACOOP is the acronym for Hand Papermaking Co-operative. The main focus of the project is Motivation, Training, Information dissemination, technical assistance and providing a livelihood vocation to our distinctly enabled individuals to be able to make an honest living.

I find it highly demeaning to gain leverage from someoneʼs disabilities even for the benefit of the disabled, which is why we make the most sincere recommendation that the products made at this workshop will not be marketed as products made by disabled individuals. It is contradictory to conventional norms of marketing and commerce. Often, their disability is looked at as the products unique selling point. We are convinced that this is an act of moral degradation. We have observed these individuals perform the art of Hand Paper Making and from our experience, know-how and belief we firmly recommend that the quality of paper made by them is way superior to the paper made by ʻnormalʼ individuals. This uniqueness/ distinctness comes from what is referred to as their ʻdisabilityʼ. Their limitation gives them the patience and placidity required for a meditative activity like hand paper making. Therefore let us work in a way, which would instil confidence and dignity in them. For it is our task is to suggest them a way on which they would tread with pride.

There are therapeutic advantages associated to the activity as well. As this not our area of expertise we cannot mention the specifics. However due to our interest in the subject in general we would like to work with a team of teachers who would be interested in evaluating the therapeutic implications.

Making Papercrete blocks

Papercrete mix

The HAPACOOP premises in Navsari

Team HAPACOOP, 2014