Newspaper pencils

Family of Disabled (FOD), an NGO in Delhi, has started a micro-enterprise which makes pencils from discarded newspapers. “Our pencils are as good as the ordinary pencils used by children,” says Preeti Johar, CEO of FOD. “You can sharpen them just like regular ones.”

FOD experimented and came up with a process to make the pencils. Around 20 people with disability were hired, mostly women, and trained for 15 days. They cut and paste the paper and roll it into cylindrical shapes. It then goes into a machine manned by Chandra Pradesh. “I’ve managed to buy a new wheelchair with the money,” he says. The women say Project Pencil has helped them pay for rent, food, and education for their children. Johar has been trying to sell the pencils to schools in Delhi. A box of 10 pencils costs `100. Discounts are available. Using discarded newspaper helps to stop 500,000 trees from being felled to make pencils.

Contact: FOD, B1/500 Janakpuri, Delhi-110058;

FOD’s Rehab Centre for People with Disabilities

28-29, Block E Extension, Shyam Vihar Phase-1

Najafgarh, New Delhi-110043

Phone: 011-41570140; 9560693394

Email: preeti.johar@family of disabled.org