How does your purchase create impact?
When you purchase an Anchal product, you directly support the woman who made it. Each artisan receives a living wage, verified by the Fair Trade Federation, which promotes her financial independence and journey of self-empowerment. Each purchase in turn supports her family's basic needs and children's education. This impact extends to the 180 artisans and 24 Project Assistants supported by Anchal’s program.
Sita's Story
"Education is the most important thing in life. It opens doors of knowledge. If you can read and write, you feel strong. I will do anything to get my children the best education possible.
I was the oldest of six siblings. My parents were extremely poor, and we could barely afford two square meals for the eight of us. My parents were out most of the time working as daily wage construction laborers and I had to look after my little sisters and brother. I missed out on what many children consider normal childhood experiences, such as playing with friends and attending school. Instead, my days were filled with caregiving responsibilities and the constant worry about our next meal.
What I have missed in my life, I am determined to make sure that my children get. Most importantly a good quality education!
Thanks to my full-time job at Anchal, I can send my two daughters and one son to a private school. I am able to pay their school fees, uniforms, and books. My husband is also supportive of my big dream for our children, and I am grateful for that support. Many of my fellow artisan women struggle to get support from their families.
Anchal and the leadership team provide great inspiration for me. There is a great atmosphere of equality and I finally feel respected and appreciated for what I do, and for who I am. It is so wonderful."
Impact by the numbers
Inadequate access to education and employment disproportionately affects impoverished women worldwide, often forcing them into exploitation. Research indicates that women given employment opportunities are 90% more likely than men to invest in crucial areas such as education, shelter, food, and health.
Anchal measures our investment through economic growth, health access, children’s education, leadership, and market access. Anchal’s programs demonstrate that systematically addressing employment inequality empowers women to uplift themselves and contribute to positive change within their families and communities, leaving a lasting generational impact.
Anchal artisans exemplify this transformation: Gulshan built her own home, Renu provided her family with safe drinking water, Shama covered her son’s surgery expenses, and Neetu sent her daughters to college.
It is clear that Anchal's artisans uplift themselves and foster positive, lasting change.
“We were earning before but the money was coming through the wrong means and we thought this was our only fate. But, being part of Anchal gave us a new purpose. Now, we think about new ways of bringing positive changes in our lives, making new products and create beauty around us.”
“I have dreamed for many years about building my own and now I have done that. It is small, but it is mine and I am happy. My other goal was to educate my sons and I have done this too. My eldest is 20 and he is finishing a trade program and my 18 year old is in his first year of college.”
“I feel very confident now. I used to worry about how I would take care of everything, but now I know I am able to take of myself and my family. Recently I have been able to pay for home repairs like new tiles, a gas connection, and sewing machine at home for my own small business.”
Mamta's Story
"I remember my life with a great deal of pain.
My family circumstances led me to a very undignified life where daily abuse and exploitation were a daily experience. I was so sad. I was on the verge of a mental breakdown and often had thoughts of ending my life. Then everything got worse when I married. It was a marriage of compromise, and my husband was not sympathetic to my past or physical and mental health. Eventually, we had two wonderful children, but I could never provide the life for them that I wanted.
Then, by chance, I came to know about the community mobilization drive to enroll women in a skill-building program called Anchal. I was so depressed that I did not even want to try anything but, with patience and a lot of affection, I was convinced to join. And that was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I joined Anchal.
Walking into Anchal is something I look forward to every day. There is a very lively and positive atmosphere. I dress well, I am healthy and the same can be said for my family. Every day I work hard to make sure my children do not face the difficulties I have faced in life.
There are good and bad people in this world and after spending most of my life with bad people, I have finally found good people. There is a different life out there for us all if we just try. I am so grateful and proud to say that I am a happy person today."
