Field Notes

We are recapping our educational workshop on holistic healing. The goal of the workshop was to inform our artisans about the concept of holistic healing and how this approach to treatment is different from conventional methods.

A mother of three, Laxmi was determined to provide a better life for her family. She dreamed of purchasing a safe home for her two daughters and son.

I knew Nazia before she knew me. I knew that she had an arranged marriage and became pregnant at age 16. I knew that her husband abandoned her and their son when she was only 18 years old and she often feared that she wouldn't be able to provide for her family. I knew that this fear grew over the years as her mother's health declined.

In May of 2015 we received a generous grant from Circle of Sisterhood to provide educational opportunities to Anchal artisans. The Circle of Sisterhood is a non-profit organization that focuses on removing barriers and providing educational opportunities for women and girls in the developing world. 

Last month our educational workshop covered an exciting topic: entrepreneurship. The goal of the workshop was to enhance the women's knowledge about potential opportunities and inspire them to use their skills to start small businesses and make smart investments, further elevating themselves and their families from poverty.

I never understood what true empowerment felt like until this moment. Despite the immense hardship each artisan has faced, they have fought for change.

We almost didn't write this post because we didn't know how to put our experience into words. It was an unparalleled, pinch-yourself-to-make-sure-this-is-real, out of body moment that we will try our best to share.