Meet Zara...
She is beautiful, humble and thankful. As you enter her tiny home you sense the generosity and graciousness of the hostess. We sit cross legged on the bed that sleeps the family of five, and she pours out a warm cup of Chai. The irony of her smile draws you in as you listen to her story- you would never know that she has known such heart ache. She has not grown bitter, but thankful instead. Zara was married off when she was 16. She had no say and remembers being terrified- not having ever spoken to this young man that she would now call “Raja” or King. Now 10 years later she and her husband have 3 children and have become companions. She would say that it was the hardship that drew them together. After her Mother and Father in law died, they were left fighting for the very room they lived in. They sold off the little that they owned and struggled for years as work was difficult to find. Her eyes are downcast as she shares. Then she looks up into my eyes and recounts how she had prayed for God to rescue them. Her eyes sparkle now as she shares of how her husband found work with Village Artisan and then she too took on their paper projects in her home. Now she says that their life has become blessed; the children can go to school, there is enough food and the fighting with her extended family has ceased now that they can pay their share of the bills. By purchasing a Village Artisan treasure you are joining hands with us to bring hope and empowerment into the lives of families like Zara’s.

Meet Fareeda and Shagufta...
They are the eldest 2 sisters in a family of 14 children. The Mother is a jovial women who has the house working like clockwork. Each member of the family, except for Ali and Mehboob, who are 4 and 6, share in the house hold duties. Each knows their responsibility and how to carry it out with zeal and efficiency. Of the 8 girls, 4 are responsible for the meals and 4 are responsible for cleaning and washing clothes. The 4 teenage boys had left school early for jobs as the family was in dire need of financial support. Fareeda, as the eldest, carries a lot of responsibility, but against all odds she is studying in college these days. As Fareeda and Shagufta have come on board with Village Artisan we have been pleased to see Ali and Mehboob, the two youngest start in school following their Bha GI (big sister) . Although Mehboob started late, he has progressed quickly and has proudly caught up to children his own age with the help of his sisters working with him at home. Every one in the family works together for the benefit of each member. Joining this family for an evening meal is a heart warming experience. Some are cooking over the open fire, others are taking care of their siblings, while Fareeda and Shagufta are finishing off their hand painting with Village Artisan. All the while there is the buzz of activity, conversation and even singing. When the aroma of curry has drawn each of them together, Fareeda pours out the food and the children gather in groups awaiting a huge terracotta bowlful to be shared among three or four. There is laughter and love aplenty. They are thankful for the little things, food, each other and the opportunity to work with their hands.

Meet Javed...
A strong minded man, husband to Sayeeda and father to 2 small children. Javed’s father died when he was a young boy forcing him to leave school by Grade 5 to work. As the eldest in the family he took on the responsibility of providing for his mother and siblings. As he tells his story you don’t feel pity on a man who has taken hardship and turned them to opportunities. With an entrepreneurial spirit he has tried his hand in many trades. He started as a vegetable seller and before joining us at Village Artisan he was a steel box maker in his home. As these boxes are being used less and less among his people, his work began to die out. With a growing family it was important now for him to find dependable work. That’s when Javed joined us at Village Artisan. He started by handmaking books and soon it became apparent that his skill would serve him well. Although he is with out formal education, he has an uncanny grasp of numbers and geometry. Now Javed has been fully trained in the operation of the cutting machines where he skillfully cuts each piece of paper that adorns the lovely products you see here on our website. He is a key man in our operation as the outcome of each piece depends upon the precision of each piece of paper cut. Now Javed has found a permanent place for work as well as the challenge that his sharp mind had longed for. We are very proud to have Javed as a part of our team.