Who made your one-of-a-kind Anchal product? Look at the tag for the hand-sewn name of the brave artisan. Our heirloom products are handcrafted by female artisans we employ through our holistic programs. Each product tells the stories of our artisans and their journey.
A mother of three who achieved, Neetu joined Anchal’s Stitch x Stitch artisan program in 2012—determined to provide a better life for her family. After four years of dedication and hard work, she was promoted to the role of Senior Artisan. Neetu embodies a confidence and strength.
Despite tremendous challenges, Neetu is a true leader in the community and has seen significant changes in her life since joining Anchal. Neetu can now provide for her family in more ways than one. As the primary breadwinner, Neetu’s earnings gives her family the ability to run the house, purchase food and educate her children. She also uses the skills she’s developed as an artisan to make beautiful clothing for her children to wear.
In 2016, Neetu purchased a 150 square foot plot of land, a 36-inch LCD television, and also started insurance payments for her three children. Now, Neetu has earned enough income to purchase items for herself that were previously out of reach. She owns a smartphone, can afford to buy beautiful saris and fashionable pieces of jewelry.
Stitch x Stitch - Ajmer, India
Today there are over 30,000 commercial sex workers in Ajmer. They originate from marginalized segments of Indian society and are forced into the commercial sex trade due to poverty, gender inequality, lack of education, and limited skills. The women we work with dream of escaping abusive relationships, moving their families to safety, feeding their children, investing in education, and giving their families a chance at a better life.
We were earning before but the money was coming through wrong means and also it left a lot of free time. That was a bad element as our mind digressed to negative things. There was no charm or challenge in life to achieve anything. Life was dragging and we only thought it was all our fate. But being part of Anchal gave us a new purpose.”
