Founded by Laurien Meuter, Tiny Miracles is a social enterprise that empowers underprivileged communities in Mumbai, particularly women, through dignified employment. Rohit Bijoy for Tiny Miracles
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How Tiny Miracles' Community-Based Approach Is Empowering Mumbai's Underprivileged Women

Sobhika Vasanthan

Tiny Miracles wrestles with a label — 'social procurement'. 

While it accurately describes their impact buying model, it feels sterile compared to their passionate mission. Founded by Laurien Meuter, Tiny Miracles is a social enterprise that empowers underprivileged communities in Mumbai, particularly women, through dignified employment. Their goal? To break the cycle of poverty for one million people in India by 2030.

The challenge is immense. Poverty is a complex web and India's vast population only adds to the difficulty. Tiny Miracles combats this by collaborating with Western organizations and adapting their models. They believe large-scale impact requires collective action. 

Their philosophy is to empower communities, not just individuals. They've honed a community-based approach that directly addresses the UN's number one sustainable development goal: reducing poverty. 

Tiny Miracles' impact thus far is undeniable. From an initial focus on the Pardeshi community — encompassing 800 people living in dire poverty — their work has expanded to encompass seven communities and 3,043 individuals. Their mission is to build confident, self-sufficient communities.  They achieve this by equipping women with skills, connecting them with caring consumers, and inspiring others to join the fight. 

Their commitment to employee value is palpable throughout their organization and they consistently prioritize their well-being and rights. It's deeply ingrained in their organizational ethos; shaping every decision and action. Their social media platforms have also been successful in fostering a thriving community and are abuzz with creative content featuring their inspiring women employees.

From the 'Rapping Amma' series, where the women cleverly unpack social issues, to their initiative to become India's first female truck painters; Tiny Miracles celebrates innovation and empowers their team to break stereotypes. They aren't afraid to try new things and their infectious energy shines through with the moniker 'The Sassy Women Of Tiny Miracles'. This online presence not only showcases their own work but also amplifies the voices of the women they empower.

Tiny Miracles envisions to bridge the gap between consumers, corporations, NGOs, and underprivileged communities.  Through their award-winning products and proven development programs, they're transforming how the world tackles poverty. Growth isn't their sole focus; it's a means to an end. They aim to ignite a global movement of empowerment. 

So far, Tiny Miracles has exported 3 million products, which is a testament to their dedication, but ultimately, their vision extends far beyond themselves. They plan to license 'Tiny Miracles 2.0', which aims to empower other social entrepreneurs to help a million people escape poverty by 2030.

The path isn't easy.  Balancing business needs, acquiring customers and managing finances with impactful social programs is a constant struggle.  Yet, Tiny Miracles persists and are driven by one powerful truth:

Within a complex system, even a small light can illuminate countless lives. 

You can learn more about Tiny Mircales here.

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