Fair Trade encompasses much more than just paying fair wages. It is a commitment to improve the livelihood of our partner artisans across different dimensions. This page contains information about the community development programs that we are implementing for our artisans. We will update this page periodically, so please come back to check it often.

If you would like more information on these programs, would like to offer feedback, or would like to contribute to their development, please contact us.


Vidya_Archana

A compound word, Vidya_Archana stands for worshipping knowledge. Its meaning is derived from the Hindi language words “Vidya”, which means knowledge, and “Archana”, which means worship.

Handmade Expressions does not only provide sustainable employment to the artisans, but works on the overall development of their communities. We believe that education is the key to a better life and a better society. Therefore, Vidya_Archana was started as an effort by Handmade Expressions to share and spread knowledge. This program is aimed for the children of the underprivileged section of society who have all the will but no means to fulfill their education needs.

The program focuses on collecting used books and stationary from donations and raising funds. They are then redistributed to economically disadvantaged children who want to study but don’t have the resources to continue their education. Financial aid is also given to students in terms of scholarships, merit awards and sponsorship for higher education. Vidya_Archana is currently being undertaken in northern India, helping more and more kids each year.

CRC – Medical benefits for the artisans

Handmade Expressions is working with over 500 artisans spread in various regions of India. The variety of the art-forms and types of goods in our product line is a direct reflection of the different communities we are working with.

Committing to the true Fair Trade values is a challenging task, especially with so many rural workers spread over vast regions. Many lack access to potable water, electricity, and good healthcare facilities. Their villages are in sometimes hostile environments (such as deserts), far away from major metropolitan areas. This hinders development, and therefore they need extra help to get a dignified lifestyle. One of the major challenges the remote location creates is a lack of health care facilities.

In an effort to improve the health of our artisans, we are currently working in association with an organization called “Craft Resource Center”. Together, we are developing a project that aims to provide medical facilities and health care programs for our partner artisans’ families. The project is still in initial stages, but we are proud to be taking part in something so impacting.

Kala Raksha Vidyalaya

“Kala Raksha” means “Protecting art”. The conservation of handmade, cultural and artistic expressions is another one of our underlying values. It is even reflected in our name!

It is our experience that many art forms are becoming extinct. Unfair trade practices make artisans go out of business, provide mundane work at factories that doesn’t require artistic skills, and ultimately stop the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. Thus, younger people do not inherit the artistic skills their forefathers created, since they render it useless in a modern, “free trade” world.

Handmade Expressions is committed to keep art alive. Kala Raksha Vidyalaya is a school in north western India that provides vocational training in the traditional art forms to the local youth. The aim is for young people to practice and preserve the art of this region. We provide direct financial help to support this project, which nurtures many of the art forms used to create our products. Furthermore, we provide the artisans with information necessary to create more fashionable and marketable products, so they have a better chance to compete against big factories.