A story that touches the soul

7/10/2009

Recently I wrote to Artisans Effort and asked if they could share a story of one of the artisans. They replied very quickly. This story reaches the soul. I now know why I am so passionate about Fair Trade. Shaista wrote the following.

We would like to share a fact with you. This is not story.

A woman with two sons lived with her husband. Her husband was truck driver and a drinker. Though his earnings were sufficient he used to blow all his money on drinks and friends. This used to create a lot of problem at home.There used to be regular fight at home. The two children used to suffer in every aspect.

The woman came to know about Artisans Effort through some one. She became a part of Artisans Effort. She is a hard working woman. She took products to make at home.

The husband did not like this too. So he got another point to fight. Poor woman used to come and take work from Artisans Effort when her husband was not in town, so that there is no fight and she and her children are not beaten up. She did this because she needed money and so there could be peace in the house.

We at Artisans Effort never knew about this story. We only knew that she had some financial problem. But one day we were all astonished to hear that she was beaten by her husband and he was trying to burn her just because his elder son did not listen to him as he was going for his tution. The father wanted him to do his work first but the son told him that after he returns from tuition he will do the work as he was already late for his classes. The mother supported the child and that was the end.The son went for his classes but the mother was beaten up and he became inhuman to his own wife. But fortunately she was helped by some of the neighbours. She was rescued. The local people informed the police.Seeing all this he fled.

After that he never returned.But now this woman lives alone with two children. We are trying to give more and more work so that she can run her family.

She is good at making hanging mobiles and some other items too.