About Us

Sewing a Better Future

Our Story

In 2015, Thousand Dreams was initiated as a start-up project by the NGO STOP, with a two-folded mission at its core: Firstly, the organisation provides a supportive environment for the training, employment and entrepreneurship of at-risk women. Our particular focus lies on women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and survivors of abuse and exploitation, specifically training them in garment design and stitching techniques.

Secondly, Thousand Dreams acts as both a marketing platform and a brand for the affordable apparel and hospitality sector, owned and led by first-generation women professionals. We thus empower our beneficiaries to amplify their talents in a commercial space and create livelihood opportunities for themselves. Ultimately, Thousand Dreams aims to evolve from a partnership to a privately limited company, thus helping to transform the lives of numerous women along its journey.

From the very beginning, we have been closely cooperating with partners both from India and overseas. Together we are working on our mission of producing and marketing sustainable fashion - but also spreading awareness of the many injustices in our society and economy and contributing to educating future leaders in the fashion industry. Since 2016, we have been partnering with the German fashion label Azadi in creating and producing yearly collections for the European market. Also part of our extended network are the fashion school in Nuremberg/Germany and the NIFT-TEA college in Tirupur, whose students provide yearly new designs and styles as a part of their curriculum.

The theme around Thousand Dreams runs in an empowering tone with the brand specialising in all apparel wear including men, women and children. Production functions on the objective of refining the skill set of the trained beneficiaries who make everything on their own, within our production unit as per their training. In terms of product type, Thousand Dreams has a flexible range but inclined more towards Indo-western taste.

Meet The Team

Since 2012, Poonam has been intricately associated with STOP. Throughout her tenure, she was confronted with the atrocities endured by survivors of heinous crimes. In response to the urgent need for rehabilitation and empowerment, she co-founded Thousand Dreams. Poonam assumed a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of operations within communities and establishing effective coordination with various stakeholders.

Driven by her motivation for meaningful and quantifiable change, she has been relentless in her pursuit to provide livelihood opportunities for the women who have suffered exploitation. Her welcoming demeanor and unmatched empathy foster a comfortable and productive environment channeled towards positive transformation.

Poonam Choudhary

Co-Founder & Partner

Munmun has been an integral part of STOP since 2014, bringing forth a wealth of expertise in vocational skills essential for the development of victims and beneficiaries. Initially serving as a skilled trainer, her commitment to the cause led her to co-found Thousand Dreams in 2015. Recognizing the suitability of stitching and hemming as avenues for empowerment, our social enterprise emerged as a dedicated workplace for girls who have faced exploitation.

Looking ahead, Munmun aspires to elevate Thousand Dreams into a renowned brand synonymous with sustainable fashion. Her vision extends to positioning Thousand Dreams as a reliable source of aid for anyone in need, thereby amplifying its impact and contributing to the broader narrative of social transformation.

Munmun Sarkar

Co-Founder & Partner

Having learnt his craft in his home village close to the Nepal border, Muhammad can look back on more than 25 years of extensive tailoring experience. He has been with Thousand Dreams since its inception in 2014, when there was no dedicated space and no proper utilities, and helped build the organization from the ground up.

Between training women and girls in the community projects and overseeing production in our workshop, Master-Ji is also involved in the development of garment collections with our collaborators. His extensive experience and acumen found place in delivering international quality products for our German and other international partners. But he is never too busy to crack a joke.

Muhammad Sikandar

Master Tailor

Ashraf learnt stitching and sewing after he came to Delhi in 2002, and he joined Thousand Dreams in 2018 from one of the communities in which we conduct training programs. Since then, he has become an integral part of our social enterprise: No matter whether it is suits, salwars, pants or shirts, 15 years of tailoring experience have equipped him with the skills to do it all.

Thanks to his attention to detail, he seamlessly checks the boxes for international quality requirements. In the communities, Ashraf has trained 50 women and girls to date and thus contributed to their empowerment. And his calm presence maintains the easy environment of our workshop.

Ashraf Ansari

Master Tailor

Born in Makawanpur, Nepal, Reena came to Delhi in 2016 and was first employed in the shelter home as a cook. While her education was discontinued after 8th class, she has picked up valuable skills and lessons from life in her 38 years. In the face of interim setbacks that deprived her of the autonomy over her own life, Reena diligently trained herself in stitching and sewing through the internet.

Today, as a cherished member of Thousand Dreams her efforts are realized, and she has been able to materialize different apparel products. You can always count on her to uplift the mood with her Nepali song.

Reena Dagar

Associate

Indu is an integral member of the Thousand Dreams team who is skilled in stitching and sewing techniques by hand and on machine. Born in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, and rescued from exploitation in 2009, she spent over two years in a rehabilitation home where she participated in various skill development programs. After navigating a range of activities she found solace in stitching and hemming, therefore settling in Thousand Dreams.

Besides spending time with her son and making clothes, farming and harvesting vegetables is something that brings immense joy to her. Driven towards matching immaculate stitching and garment finishing, Indu has successfully made small accessories, including utility bags and scrunchies under various orders.

Indu

Associate

Mahima is a Delhi University history graduate, but not at all stuck in the past: In her role as an adviser, she is the driving force behind Thousand Dreams since July 2023. With a knack for communication and a sharp eye for logistics, she facilitates cooperation with our partners along with orchestrating the social media and managing resources.

Mahima has closely engaged with the communities involved in production and training to understand the requirements and skills of our beneficiaries. Now she aims to build Thousand Dreams into a reliable resource, dedicated to the empowerment of women and uplifting those in need.

Mahima Rao

Volunteer

Meet Pratyaksha, our fashion expert since September 2023. With a degree in Fashion Design and six years of hands-on experience in the industry, her passion for sustainable fashion shines through. Pratyaksha’s dedication extends beyond her role here - she has collaborated with other grassroots fashion and textile enterprises, aiding in brand building and designing impactful, eco-friendly products.

Her commitment to sustainability, her talent for crafting innovative designs and expertise with fabrics make her an invaluable addition to our team - as does her energetic nature and joyful spirit. Thriving in her inherent plant mom spirit from her botanist mother, she takes pride in nurturing her home garden.

Pratyaksha Sinha

Expert

Hailing from Germany, Paul is an accomplished astrophysicist and brings a wealth of experience in both data science and science communication to his professional repertoire. In his free time, he has been actively supporting STOP through the German charitable club STOP Freundeskreis e.V. since 2014.

Driven by a commitment to social impact, Paul currently extends his volunteer efforts to both STOP and Thousand Dreams in Delhi. With his proficiency in website building and maintenance, along with adept communication skills, he contributes to the seamless integration of technology and outreach strategies in support of the organizations.

Paul Heeren