For women!

For women!
There is this common language of art and craft. We use it to laugh, learn and change communities for the future!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Some time in April or May for a short week.



.....An incredibly satisfying time here where these relationships are solid. Absolutely solid, where the cultural habits or barriers that I often struggled with have become transparent or far less important. There is now a better understanding of why I do this and why they do that. And best of all, it doesn't matter.

There is now an understanding of the structure of my business - White Circles, and their opinion is positive as it will bring a long term future to the project and therefor they are excited to come to work every day. We have four new women working with us who laughed just as much as the others by Kaaja (snack time) day 1.

It is an honour to share this trip with Myee Gregory who is making a documentary on the project for University of New England Honours degree. (see http://blog.une.edu.au/news/2011/04/29/myee-travels-to-nepal-on-film-making-assignment/)
This will not only give the opportunity to educate about fair trade and concientious consumer bahaviours, but explore possibilitlies to transfer a similar framework elsewhere in Nepal. myeegregory.wordpress.com

The commitment, particularly on my last day was astounding, as we worked in fast forward 3 hours over time, making books, songs, and a future. This was simply a pleasure.
We have been putting together many books that will be easy to sell in Australia and online. (http://www.bluecaravan.net/home/1/)
They hold a good energy and I know that it is absolutely benefiting this community. They say so themselves. and they have every right to demand what more they want to change. We can get more books made at a more efficient rate with a few simple machines, and we can hope for less women overworking themselves in the jungle for their children's health or education.

This environment is exactly where I want to be... Be it Nepal, or some other village in some other part of the world.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Good stuff! I got one of your books from Melbourne. GREAT quality. They've sold out though....when are you sending more???


The boys in the Kathmandu "Papa's House" in the time of load shedding... (power cut)

The boys in the Kathmandu "Papa's House" in the time of load shedding... (power cut)

Chapter 2- What matters

Chapter 2- What matters

Nepal


Here- we have the Tharu culture in Nepal. A beautiful bunch of people who have been hardly done by, particularly in regards to slavery incidents. This doesn't tamper their strong understanding of other people, or the amount of love they're able to give. 

Slavery is being abolished and there is a drastic need for job and independence as these girls move out of the education system. For Freida Mountain, the energy, colour, love and skills were the beginning of what will be a dedication to these people. We now have the opportunity to work in trading to Australia from Nepal. A lot of fair trade research, justification and funding needs to occur, but I look forward to more and more involvement!
This environment acts as a stigma for my next range...