Learning Hub — Artisan

How your shopping builds a bright future for Binda’s family! The effect you can have lasts years into the future! Your shopping and Gifts of Love can build a bright future for people. This is what it was like for Binda and her family. Binda’s husband was affected by leprosy, and so the two of them struggled to find work. One of the producers you support, New SADLE, offered both of them work. Now, 15 years later, Binda has been a dedicated weaver, making products to sell to people like you in Australia! Together, Binda and her husband make enough...

When we visited producer groups in Bangladesh recently, we found Jaya making a string of angels out of Parthi grass. She was putting beads onto the angels to form their heads. She can make approximately 15 angels in one day. Jaya and her coworkers also make baskets, coasters, hats, and other Christmas decorations. Jaya has been working with this producer group for the past 25 years. A lot has changed since she started. Her husband passed away many years ago, which meant she had to take on all the responsibility for the family’s finances. Thanks to the training and income...

Your compassion creates champions like Sunitha. Sunitha has been living in a leprosy community in India all her life. Both of Sunitha’s parents had leprosy and she still lives with them. Her husband abandoned her many years ago leaving Sunitha to raise their children on her own. Sunitha was unable to complete high school but has trained in handloom weaving and leather technology through her leprosy community association. The piece items and bags she makes are sold for you to buy! Sunitha has supported her daughters through high school and higher studies. One of them is now a beautician, the other,...

Your warm heart gives a hand up to artisans like Tirtha. Tirtha was a really shy, timid woman. She and her husband are both hearing impaired and non-verbal. This has impacted her confidence, but she has worked hard to raise her two children. Both are excelling in school, and she is very proud. Her husband works, but his income was not enough to take care of their family.    Even though she had no handicraft skills, and felt very nervous, Tirtha came to work at Manushi (Nepal) because she wanted to learn. Manushi were inviting and gave Tirtha the chance...

Your shopping helps Sabita care for her family! Sabita works hard, hand-stitching textiles to earn money for her family. Her husband used to work in another country but came back to Nepal for his family. He has struggled to find work since then, so they take care of their 10-year-old son with just one income. They saved up money and took out a loan to buy a taxi. Now Sabita’s husband could work! But then — COVID lockdowns hit. A caring mother wants to do anything she can to help her family — but sometimes, it’s hard to see what she...