I was privileged to be guest speaker at a fair trade fortnight event in Cairns on Saturday, 8th May 2010. The money raised at this event will be donated to the school that Artisans Effort in Kolkata is building. I now share Ejaz and Shaista's dream with you. Pam Mcgann , director of Siham Craftlink Pty Ltd.
Ejaz and Shaista on left with one of their sons, Pam McGann front row in blue.
The Dream to Build a School is becoming a Reality.
When I first met Ejaz and Shaista , the founders of Artisans Effort in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, two years ago they shared a dream. Quietly they explained that they wanted to build a school for needy children. I listened intently. The "dream" seemed enormous . Financially how could this goal be reached? However I have learnt that when you have the sincerity and the heart such as Ejaz and Shaista to achieve something for the good of mankind, nothing is going to stop that dream become a reality.
School being built
Last year the first part of this dream was realized.
Suitable land had been found at Asansol which is 200 kms away from Kolkata ( Shaistas family live in this area).
There was an urgency after realizing the potential of this land. Banks in India do not give loans for purchase of land, only for construction of buildings. An urgent request was sent out to the handful of buyers that Artisans Effort supplies with their beautiful handcrafted fair trade items. Was it possible to give substantial orders for craft to the artisans ? We all rallied for the cause and the percentage of profit from the sale of the craft, along with savings from artisans Effort was enough to secure the purchase of the land!!!
The land area at 8 cottahs (5,760 sq feet ) is quite small but the first part of the dream was secured.
At present Artisans Effort is sponsoring the education of two children, but since 2005, they have paid the educational expenses for nine needy children.
Ejaz and Shaista shared that when they first looked for potential students to sponsor both in Kolkata and Asansol, that they were overwhelmed with responses. Parents were pleading with folded hands. Although able to assist with some childrens education , they felt helpless . They also observed many children working in small tea stands, small hotels , washing dishes and in carriages as their parents had a very small income and the children had no other alternative but to earn some money. As Ejaz says they live "hand to mouth".
In India everyone has to pay for their education. There are three levels of education . Even in the low education English category ( the children are sponsored in this category) the cost of admission is US$55 and then approximately US$22 a month per child. The approximate income per month for wage earners is US$100. Hence it is easily understandable why education for children is out of the reach for many families. Education is an extremely valued and precious blessing.
The school will be a Montessori school. The levels of education available at commencement will be lower nursery, upper nursery, nursery, kindergarten and grades 1,2 and 3.
For the school to run smoothly, it is planned that initially 5-10% of the children enrolled will be given free education. The free education percentage will be changing each year as per the school fund. It is also planned that other grades will be added. When the school does open, there will be many running costs such as teachers salaries, electricity, maintenance and curricular activities hence the need to also include students who will be paying.
As the bank interest is quite high, Artisans Effort will be trying to take the minimum loan possible. The bank rules in India stipulate that the deposit of a loan needs a minimum deposit of 20%.
Some people living near the school land have heard the news that a school is going to be built. Parents are anxiously enquiring where they can register their childrens names.
Ladies at Artisans Effort, Pam Mcgann on right in blue.
Ejaz and Shaista know what it means to be poor. With twin boys and no income they were forced to give one of their twin babies to Shaistas family to look after for several years. Food was one meal a day. Wedding jewellery which was given by their families was mortgaged and they never saw it again. Ejaz and Shaista understand the suffering of the poor. That is why this year they were elected to be the Human Rights state representatives for West Bengal. This is a voluntary role.
Ejaz sums up the dream “The school will definately not be able to solve the problem in a huge population but will give a smile and happiness to some. We are very thankful to God that fair trade has taught us something to do for others. According to me, the real good human being gets happy when he/ she is able to bring happiness on needy peoples lives.” It is with the same compassion and love for all mankind that Artisans Effort kindly donated US$100 to the Australian Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
