Paper Matters’ visit to Aabal Nahi Sabal, where neurodivergent artisans are using paper to change the narrative
The magic of paper knows no bounds.
It can be the place for intelligent thought, an object of childhood fantasy in small planes and boats, and an outlet for fun and expression for people who need them the most.
We saw this with our own eyes when, in yet another edition of Paper Matters Travels To, we visited the Aabal Nahi Sabal Foundation in Gujarat. This is a community of neurodivergent individuals who have allied with Paper to unleash their inner creativity and contribute to the local economy.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
Meet the Sabals
They laugh together, dance together, and celebrate work together. Aabal Nahi Sabal has introduced the differently abled community to a new world; one made up of crafted products and eco-friendly innovations. Beyond employment, it allows these individuals to showcase their diverse talents and, at the same time, values and supports sustainability through hand-crafted products.
We observed this in motion. We were welcomed into a workspace that buzzed with energy and was filled with the warmth of camaraderie. We saw the work and the products, a full range of handcrafted products: paper bags, food-grade bags, gifting bags and envelopes, each made from handmade paper or Kraft paper.
We saw that the foundation stands aptly by its name. It is more of a movement, with a conviction of giving neurodivergent individuals meaningful work and dignity.
“This is a community of neurodivergent individuals who have allied with Paper to unleash their inner creativity and contribute to the local economy.”
Paper All the Way
The choice of using paper is not accidental.
“It is easy to work with,” Ms. Anuradha Sharma, Founder of Aabal Nahi Sabal, explained, “and when they use their hands to fold or glue paper, all the neurons get connected. This gives them muscle memory, which helps them repeat the work”. Tactile engagement with sheets of paper is productive and transformative for their cognitive skills.
This transformation is there for all to see. Ms. Anuradha had previously observed how easily individuals used to get bored and tired, but now the story is different. “Now we hear giggles and gossip about who makes the most number of bags”. This human connection and interaction gives them confidence and a sense of belonging that stretches beyond the workshop.
Even the parents who were always worried about these neurodivergent kids now feel differently. They can now see what their kids are capable of, and witnessing genuine changes has brought them peace of mind.
“Aabal Nahi Sabal has introduced the differently abled community to a new world; one made up of crafted products and eco-friendly innovations.”
Why Paper Matters
Aabal Nahi Sabal has placed members of the differently abled community in a setting where they can be active contributors, creators and catalysts for change. With inclusion in the workforce and the local economy, they are building a new future, and paper is at the center of it.
Their work is a testament to how paper enables livelihoods and how it promotes sustainability. It shows how a material, rather simple and fragile, has the capacity to hold human stories. This is, for us, a compelling argument for why it still matters.
At Paper Matters, we are always excited to celebrate eco-innovation and the spirit of craftsmanship, and we will continue to do so. Visits like these keep reminding us why. The story of paper is still being written, one chapter of it by the Sabals from Gujarat.