Heena in Agra, India
When she was only 11, Heena's father passed away, leaving her mother, Heena,
and her 3 younger siblings to support themselves. Heena left school and learned
to embroider from her mother. They got sporadic work from local contractors
- but sometimes they got paid and sometimes they didn't. A neighbor let them
know about a new self-help group in their area, started with support from Tara
Projects, a member of the World Fair Trade Organization.
Heena is now 20, and has been working with them for two years. The workshop
is nice, she is paid a living wage, and has clean water, medical insurance,
and a savings plan. She is also able to save money for her marriage.
Punam
Nestled within New Delhi, Punam sits among friendly faces and colorful saris, smiling and proud of her contribution. Two years ago, Punam learned to bead from a family artisan cooperative in her neighborhood, and since then they have helped her family earn enough to survive. Punam’s family could not afford the dowry for her marriage - her mother is sick and her father cannot work regularly due to a chronic illness. Since working, she was able to pay her dowry as well as her mother’s medical treatments. Working in the cooperative means she is able to provide for herself as well as her family while remaining in a safe, caring environment.
Empowered by a fair wage, a new livelihood, and the preservation of such precious textiles, Punam and our small artisan group craft unique handbags from recycled and discarded sari's exclusively for WorldFinds. They diligently tailor and transform high-quality bags into works of wearable art, embellished with an arrangement of gorgeous sari pieces. Since all of our sari purses are handmade from these recycled sari pieces, each is distinctive from the rest, with variations in patterns, colors, and detailing. Like our artisans, these bags are one-of-a-kind. Minor flaws and irregularities just add to our purse’s charm.
Geeta
Geeta works with Toucan Krafte, an artisan group in New Delhi. The oldest
of 7 children, she left school early to help support her family. She found
the fair trade group a year ago without knowing anything about jewelry.
She went through their training program, and soon she learned how to bead
jewelry and crafts. Geeta now helps to teach other women in her community.
The fair wage she earns has enabled her to help support her family, and to
continue sending her younger siblings to school.
Prema
Although Prema was widowed while pregnant, she was dterminded to support
herself and daughter without becoming a burden on her aging parents. Her uncle
introduced her to Teddy Experts, a fair trade organization in southern India
that employs over 300 low-income artisans.
While Prema trained as a tailor, her daughter was taken care of at the on-site
childcare center, and was eventually able to attend the Teddy School, a primary
school for children of employees. Teddy also provides their employees with
many benefits such as medical care, paid maternity leave, and a pension plan.
Their procces fund the Teddy Trust, a local clinic that provides healthcare
and AIDS education to villagers in the area.
"I can't imagine where I would be without the support from Teddy. It
has provided me with stability and hope."
Rami
Rami's parents didn't have enough money to pay for her studies, so she needed
to start work shortly after elementary school. Their village, Celuk, in Bali,
Indonesia is known for its silversmith artisans, but Rami wasn't finding steady
work outside of low-paying factories. The long hours and poor wages made it
difficult to help support her husband's meager income and raise their three
children.
Rami learned of Mitra Bali, a local fair trade organization. She showed them
her work and they recognized Rami's skill and motivation and awarded her a
large order. In addition to a fair wage, Mitra Bali also provides additional
training, pre-payment for raw materials, and links to fair trade buyers.
With new fair wages, Rami can now work for herself and be confident in knowing
that there is enough money for her children's studies - they won't need to
elave school early like she did.
Shaista
Shaista was born into an orthodix Muslim family in Old Delhi, India. As a
woman, it was difficult to find work in her conservative community without
discrimination. With the help of two of her siblings, she started a self-help
group and began working on handicrafts for Tara Projects.
Gradually, under the leadership of Shaista, they now have 25 women in their
group. Everyone is receiving fair wages in accordance with their experience
and skill level. The workers all have health care and work in a clean, well-ventiated
facility.
"We can now live the life we want, without cultural restraints. We feel
empowered, like there's nothing we can't do. The factors keeping us oppressed
are gone thanks to Tara."
Sushma
Sushma lives in New Delhi, India with her husband and two young sons. She
had to leave school early due to distance and family illness. She learned
about Tara Projects 5 years ago and began working there, immediately receiving
a fair wage and steady employment. Sushma works 5-6 hours a day and supplements
her husband's income to sustain their family. She pays for her children's
school fees, food, and clothing.
"I am happy that I do not have to earn this money by spending many hours
laboring in a factory. We do not have to borrow money from the money lender.
I am thankful that Tara Projects and WorldFinds gives us work."
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