Hello, I am writing on behalf of MarketPlace: Handwork of India, a nonprofit organization that provides fair trade employment to women in India by selling their handmade apparel and interiors in the United States. MarketPlace is an incredible organization with an extraordinary mission, and I am asking you to include them on your website. I have included an article about MarketPlace to give you some background on the organization and its mission. If you’re interested, I can send you some photos of some of the artisans at work. Feel free to publish the article on your website. Please notify me if you decide to use the article. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Celina Connorpr@marketplaceindia.comhttp://www.marketplaceindia.com Fair Trade Spotlight: Marketplace of India
Non-profit empowers low-income women through dignity, not charityIn an age of corporate irresponsibility, more and more consumers are asking questions about the origins of the products they buy. An awareness movement that began with organic food now encompasses everything from clothing to cars, as people demand products that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable.
Marketplace of India- an apparel and home textile company started in 1980 to employ and empower poor women in Bombay-is among the enterprises meeting that demand. Beginning with three women whose marketable skills were limited to hand stitching, Marketplace has grown to include multiple cooperatives employing hundreds of women artisans.
Women around the globe bear the brunt of responsibility for the health, education and general welfare of their families. Yet culture and tradition have denied women the rights and freedom to have the economic power to meet those responsibilities. Women often are expected to accept decisions made for them by their husbands and parents, while being forced to surrender control of their finances and thus jeopardize the welfare of their children. Marketplace of India is changing that.
Self Improvement and Social ProgramsThe women of Marketplace are empowered to believe in themselves, to speak out and express their wishes, and to learn new skills. Programs that have been developed and managed by the artisans themselves include “The Artisans Speak,” which lets the women decide on a theme for each Marketplace catalog; “Social Action,” in which the women decide on a social problem in their community that they wish to change (such as alcoholism or lack of women’s health programs); and “The Children’s Education Fund,” which is run by older children for the benefit of the younger ones and includes such programs as summer camps and libraries.
The Power of IndependenceAs wage earners, Marketplace artisans gain the confidence to take part in the decision-making processes of their families, as well as being an integral part of an artisan group. Marketplace’s goals include involving the artisans directly in every aspect of business-from designing, managing and producing products, to tagging and packing boxes to ship to the US. Through these processes the artisans learn to take control and manage their finances. And since Marketplace’s products are primarily hand stitched, the women can take their work home, enabling them to look after their families while they earn an income.
Change for the BetterOver the years, Marketplace has initiated amazing quality of life improvements for many people. Life expectancy for Marketplace artisans has increased to 62 years from the national average of 54 years for women. The average female child of a Marketplace artisan will finish the 10th grade, while most Indian girls only complete 4th. Marketplace artisans work an average of 9 months of the year; most artisans had no income before becoming part of a cooperative. Marketplace offers no handouts. All of the artisans are trained to become self sufficient, resulting in newfound confidence and self-respect.
What You Can DoYou can support Marketplace of India by purchasing their products at Global Exchange’s Fair Trade stores. You can see the full line of Marketplace products and learn more about their programs and ways to get involved at www.marketplaceindia.com.
By Shel Mae Reinwald Manager of San Francisco Global Exchange Fair Trade Store
