Nagma is a handicraft artisan living in the slums of east Delhi the capital city of India with her 3 young children. Her house is a single room with a small kitchen space.
She learned the art of embroidery and sewing beautiful designs from her husband, who often brought work home. Seeing her husband burdened with work she often helped him and together they lived a simple life looking after their children.
The sudden loss of her husband a few years ago, turned Nagma’s life around which left her with the responsibility of caring for her children single-handed. She secured work with the supplier connected to Asha Handicrafts Association. The work helped her pay the rent, and provide the basic necessities for her children.
Nagma’s persistence has kept her consistent at work and helped her educate her children. Her older daughters are hardworking and diligent in school. The youngest son is unable to study due to ill health. Her hard work is rewarded by seeing her children educated and being able to afford the rent of her home.
For the last 3 years, she has mastered the craft of embroidery, pasting, alteration and finishing of various handicrafts. Her day passes by as she sews colourful beads, with the help of a needle and threads, on various fabrics. The last order she was working on, took her at least 20 minutes to make a single piece.
Nagma is filled with joy knowing that the handicrafts created travel miles away and bring food to her home. Living in a world with so much inequality, she has seen Fair Trade through Asha Handicrafts as a ray of hope that fills her with hope for the future.
The young mother’s whole world revolves around her work and her children, she dreams of seeing her children educated and living in her own home someday. Asha Handicrafts Association partners with suppliers who employ artisans such as Nagma. In conclusion she is grateful to the customers who buy their products that not only provide employment but also instill hope and confidence to thousands of artisans in India.