Visiting Global Daughter Artisans

Our visit to meet the Global Daughter women artisans was nothing short of incredible. We both were overwhlemed by their spirit and talent. The fifteen hour overnight bus trip from Kathmandu in a junker bus riding rims was all worth it. We stayed four nights in Janakpur with the women- in the house of the project's coordinator, Rina. She lives on the top floor and the workshop is in the basement and outside on the patio. Fifteen women artisans work at the shop and several others work from home (some husbands don't allow their wives out of the house). They each specialize in a certain skill. Some are detailed painters, some build boxes, some stitch and tailor. They range in age from 18 to 70. The 70 year old takes a nap everyday from 1-2- she sprawls out under the paints table and takes a little snooze.

The conditions of the shop are comfortable and the women have freedom during the day to go at their own work pace. They eat lunch together and socialize as they assemble their boxes, paint their Christmas balls and embroider their cushion covers. After seeing it with our own eyes, we would like to assure our customers that the work environment is safe and the women are being compensated fairly.

The name of the project is Janakpur Arts and Crafts Center. They are commissioned by other sellers in Italy and Japan to do traditional Mathila art work. Mathila art is a special form of drawing figures that depict auspicious occasions like weddings and baby devotionals. The items we are having them make are more fashion-forward western trends. When we met them and spoke to them (through a translator) we realized that our design ideas are so new and different for them. We have full confidence after seeing their work, however, that our products will be top quality and will sell well in western markets.

Every woman who works at the shop has a personal story that is fascinating. Some have been abused, some are widows, some come from extreme poverty, and most are uneducated. In the future we would like to feature their individual stories on our website or on this blog. We have so much to learn from them as women and citizens of the world. We invite all customers and friends of Global Daughter to come to Nepal and meet the artisans that make your beautiful products.

Our interactions with these women will be woven into the Global Daughter mission. We knew we wanted to be a part of the development of women here, but now after witnessing what fair trade can do to change lives, we are charged now more than ever. This renewed inspiration will help us forward through the rough and discouraging times of getting this whole thing off the ground. Please continue to follow the movement....there are women on the other side who thank you.