Ana Art Group

(Scroll Down for Artisan Impact Report.)

ARTISAN IMPACT UPDATE: JUNE 2012

In June 2012, SETU, our business partners in India, went to visit this artisan group, which is responsible for making the majority of our jewelry. The report back was extremely motivating and supportive of the positive impacts made by sustainable development. What began as a small artisan group working from tiny, conjested work spaces in Old Delhi, is now a large community with an increase in education and improvements in health and environmental impacts. Below is a thorough breakdown of these impacts.

Livelihood Generation

In the past 3 years, the group has grown from 15 members to 100. Wages have also increased for this group and family income in about 20-25% higher than standard for artisan work in their area. The increase in wages and community growth is due to the sustainable and continuos work the artisans have received and has allowed them to fulfill their basic requirements for a decent living. When visiting the artisans, they confirmed that they are enjoying a much more respectful, peaceful and balanced life and appreciate their partnership with Handmade Expressions.

Education and Child Labor | Social Upliftment and Confidence Building

In the communities in this area, it is very common to send children to work after their 5th standard, in order to help earn income and help support the family. However, due to the sustainable growth of this community and the counseling SETU has provided the artisans, the group has begun keeping their children to schools. Even girls are beginning to attend school! The average literacy of the group has increased to 10th standard and the artisans are very proud that their children are capable of furthering their education. Artisans have opened up so much to the idea of education that they have even arranged night classes for themselves. The community expressed their excitement for the first member of the group to attend college!

These actions clearly represent a cultural shift in attitude towards the female role in a traditional Muslim community. The support of female education and the female artisan working openly in this community is fostering an educated and open society.

Healthy Work Conditions

The group began working from a congested and small space in Jama Masjid. They have recently moved their office to Sita Ram Bazar - where there are 4 large rooms, a kitchen and clean flushed toilets. The group prepares morning and evening tea for each other and the atmosphere is clean and comfortable.

What's also impressive about the group, is that they do not deduct salary for holidays or leaves. One woman explained how one month she had to take 10 days off due to sickness, and none of her salary was deducted. She also shared how the working conditions here were much better than her previous job and that fresh water and refreshments, social support and the education facility made this a dream work place for her!

The group has developed a trusting and comfortable work place. The group does not take unnecessary leaves and are willing to work late when required to finish their work. The work setting they have developed is very similar to that of our western corporate cultures with flexible freedom.

Environmental Improvements

During prior visits to the artisan community, SETU along with artisans discussed and analyzed any health concerns. After several meetings together and the consultations with experts, solutions were presented. The main concerns were in relation to their electroplating unit. The artisans have now transferred the entire rooftop floor of their building into their electroplating unit. This space is much larger and provides for proper ventilation. Acid tanks were also made with FRP - which is a glass filled fiber sheet - to avoid any leakage. Anti-shocking flooring was installed to support safe working. An industrial electrical connection was installed and follows all government compliance and is non-polluting. Gloves and masks are being used during electroplating for health safety. The artisans played an important role in these developments and took ownership of improving their work area.

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Handmade Expressions has started working with the Ana Art Group after receiving an email from a young girl named Sana living in Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, India. She explained that her family and members of the community make jewelry, but are being mistreated by their few current employers. Seeing that Handmade Expressions sold jewelry similar to the jewelry her community makes, Sana found hope for future and fair employment.

“When we seen your website we feeling there is someone in the world who can take care people like us.” Sana writes.

Ruchi, our product designer and developer, and Rashmi, our sourcing and artisan relations coordinator, met with Sana’s family in their home in India. They were welcomed at the door and led into the room where the family and other members of the community gather to make their jewelry to sell.

After meeting with the family and hearing the story of the community, we were reminded of the overlying reason why we continue to support Fair Trade: to provide help to those who need it the most.

Moved by the story of the Ana Art Group, their willingness to work and the beautiful products made by this small community, we have decided to support this inspiring artisan group.

Jewelry made by the Ana Art Group can be viewed below:

$ 4.00

Dream Catcher Wire Pendant Necklace

NEW PRODUCT!

Web-like woven appearance handmade with upcycled metal and wires in gold and silver.

30" chain + 1.75"W Pendant

Materials: Metal

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Ana Art Group