Shahnaz’s Story of Hope in India – (Read Time: 1 min.)
A Different Kind of Workshop
In India, where vulnerable women are often exploited in sweatshops with unsafe working conditions and unfair pay, one leather crafting workshop in Jaipur is empowering women through skills training, equal opportunities, fair wages, a deep respect for their Artisans, and contagious hope.
Meet Shahnaz, Artisan in India
My name is Shahnaz. I live with my husband, my 5-year-old daughter and in-laws in a small community in India where most of our neighbors are relatives. I became an Artisan because I want to save enough money for my daughter’s education. My favorite part of my workday as an Artisan is teatime!
Life Changing Opportuntities
I learned my Artisan skills after my father died. All of us had to do something to keep our household running. I started as a helper. My first job as a stitching Artisan was here at this workshop. Now that I’m married, I use my income to maintain my home’s condition – getting doors and roofs repaired – and definitely saving for my daughter’s education!
Contagious Hope
Consistent work and not being worried about where my next month’s salary will come from is the greatest security for someone like me. During India’s lockdown, our workshop distributed food packets in our community. It wasn’t just for the Artisans. It was for the entire community! That’s what makes us feel proud being a part of the group where we have good companies like Trades of Hope that give us a sense of security.
“That’s what makes us feel proud being a part of the group where we have good companies like Trades of Hope that give us a sense of security.”
– Shahnaz, Leather Artisan in India
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