Field Notes

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A Long-Awaited Reunion in India

A Long-Awaited Reunion in India

After tremendous anticipation and over 3 years of physical separation, the U.S. Anchal team was recently reunited with the incredible artisan and leadership team in Ajmer, India! The trip crew comprised of sisters and Founders Colleen and Maggie Clines, Anchal E-Commerce Director Ashleigh Bakken, Maggie’s husband, David Cobb, and photographer and Colleen’s husband, Clay Cook.

CEO, Colleen Clines, highlights heartwarming stories of a joyous reunion between artisans and the U.S. team and the strong bond and deep sense of community that has been fostered through Anchal's work. She also highlights the resilience and determination of the artisans, who continued creating beautiful products despite the challenges they faced.

— Anchal Project
Tagged: social impact Stitch x Stitch
Anchal seamstress training program graduates of 9 with their instructors and community leaders

Trainees Graduate Program and Become Project Assistants

Last year Anchal successfully launched a satellite training program in Ajmer, thanks to the support of our donors and the hard work of our team. The goal of this program was to provide livelihood training for ten women from a neighboring  community. After eight months of training sessions, we are excited to share that nine women graduated from the program and recently joined the Anchal team as full-time Project Assistants!
— Anchal Project
Tagged: social impact Stitch x Stitch
Anchal artisan receiving grocery kits for COVID-19 relief

COVID-19 Relief: Grocery Kit Donations

Just over a month ago, together we raised $3,530 to help sponsor relief grocery kits for the Anchal artisans in India. Over the past week our amazing management team distributed over 160 kits! 
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Shakuntela Celebrates 10 Years with Anchal

Shakuntela Celebrates 10 Years with Anchal

Shakuntela was the first woman to join Anchal and is now proudly celebrating her 10th year with Anchal as a Project Assistant. We admire her greatly and are so proud of her empowered confidence and resilience. Shakuntela has become a true leader in the community and is a model for how the program can positively change a woman’s life. Learn more about her journey.
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
artisans in india during the covid-19 pandemic wearing masks

Updates from Artisans in Ajmer

First and foremost all of Anchal artisans are healthy and safe!  On March 24th, India implemented a nationwide lockdown for 21 days and then extended it for another 35 days in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. During the lockdown,  we were in constant communication with our NGO partners and Project Director, strategizing how we could best support our community of artisans during the lockdown. 
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Maggie and Colleen Clines spending time with Anchal artisans in Ajmer

2019 India Trip Recap

Our journey to Ajmer, India this past September was unlike any we’ve experienced before. For the past nine years, our time with our artisans was spent on expanding design skills through interactive workshops, but this past trip we had a different objective. The focus was directed to conversations and actions related to scaling.
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Anchal's 11 project assistants in India

The Project Assistant Team Grows in India!

Anchal’s core team at the workshop has recently grown from 7 to 11 project assistants. Not only do the project assistants feel a renewed sense of dignity and empowerment, but they also share their financial success with their families.

— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Anchal artisan Kamla

Meet Your Didi: Kamla

During our most recent trip to India, we had the opportunity to visit with artisan Kamla and learn more about the true impact Anchal's program has had in her life.
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Anchal artisan Choti

Meet Your Didi: Choti

During our most recent trip to India, we had the opportunity to visit with artisan Choti and learn more about the true impact Anchal's program has had in her life.
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Anchal Artisans and staff members gathered together for a final goodbye party in Ajmer

See you next year, Ajmer!

Our last day in Ajmer at the Anchal office was packed full including a fun celebration and dance party before we had to say goodbye.
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Anchal artisans using the new electric fabric cutter provided to them from incredible fundraising support

Road to India 2018: Fundraiser Update

Thanks to your incredible support, we not only reached our $10,000 Road to India fundraising goal, but we beat it in less than a week!
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch
Some of Anchal's artisans celebrating the arrival of the Anchal team by welcoming them into their own homes

Home Visits Provide a Peek into the Lives of Anchal's Artisans

Inviting us to their homes is an honor for the artisans. We love to share this intimate peek into the personal lives of the women that work so hard for our organization.
— Anchal Project
Tagged: Stitch x Stitch