Sisters of India
A very special story from an Academy tour
All Academy Travel tours are special. Yet the ‘Fabric of India’ tour in December 2022 has a postscript that makes it even more special…
Led by Judy Tenzing, just under one year ago, we took a group of textile-mad women, and one very patient gentleman, to the far reaches of Bengal and Gujarat in the north-east and north-west of India respectively. There were workshops in indigo dyeing, block-printing and embroidery, visits to pottery studios and time with textile weavers, including the ancient and extremely rare jamdani muslin traditions of Kalna, Bengal.
This group of fabric fiends lapped it all up, seeing the positive side to even the longest days on the road and sometimes the most “rustic” of accommodations. They simply soaked in all the magic that India can offer. One of these travellers, Sharon Stevens, was particularly taken with the textiles of Gujarat and struck up a wonderful rapport with our exceptional local guide Nirav.
Nirav had many remarkable stories to tell about his life and times, such as his experiences in the terrifying Gujarat earthquake of 2001. But the story that struck a deep chord with Sharon was that of a Nepalese girl named Suman, whom Nirav came to know, who had been sold by a relative into prostitution in India. Nirav and his wife took her in and were teaching her to stitch garments and make small bags from old, recycled sarees purchased from the local bazaar. These bags were colourful and strong and a perfect size for supermarket shopping, carry or packing bags.
Many in our group purchased some of these bags, but Sharon had bigger ideas! She maintained contact with Nirav on her return and began to sell these bags to family and friends. She then added furoshiki wraps, the Japanese-style fabric gift wraps which can be tied in a wondrous array of styles.
Launching the initiative ‘Sisters of India’ in April of this year, her following began to expand and a local friend donated funds for Suman to purchase a new sewing machine. From a humble start, Sharon has continued to sell the saree bags and furoshiki wraps at small home gatherings and local markets. As a result, Suman now has five other women (who were in the same dire circumstances as she had been) to help her. Together these six women are now sustained by this work, and it has changed their lives. The group will not expand from this size to ensure that together ‘Sisters of India’ can maintain enough for their food, lodgings and, most of all, self-respect – no sweatshops for ‘Sisters of India’…
Nirav continues to oversee it all and help with logistics, along with his work as a tour guide, fashion designer and very active member of local heritage organisations. He is helping the “sisters” upskill and expand their repertoire. They are now adding ribbon, gift wrap, scarfs and even water bottle bags to their line, just in time for Christmas! And with this, ‘Sisters of India’ now provides a regular income for the ladies of Gujarat, empowering the ladies in their everyday lives.
This is all the result of the kindness and selflessness of Sharon Stevens, together with Nirav, who were willing to put their time and passion into helping people at the grass roots level.
A very special tour in so many ways.
Sisters of India – Saree Products
With Christmas on the horizon, if you are interested in purchasing some gorgeous, recycled saree products from the clever ladies of Gujarat and supporting the ‘Sisters of India’, you can get in touch with Sharon via one of the following avenues below.
Saree Bags are priced at $10 each or 3 for $25, plus a small postage cost to wherever you may reside. They come in every spectrum of the rainbow and they also make for great use as gift wrap this Christmas, with the added bonus of the bag once unwrapped!
The beautiful Infinity Scarfs are $15 each. Bottle Bags are priced at $8 each and Shoulder Bags at $25 each.
To get in touch with Sharon
Social Media | ‘sistersofindia’
Facebook www.facebook.com/sistersofIndia
Instagram www.instagram.com/sistersofindia
Email | Sharon Stevens
Email sistersofindia@gmail.com
Coolum Twilight Markets | Tickle Park, Coolum Beach QLD 4573
If you’re around in sunny Queensland along the Sunshine Coast, Sharon will be at the Coolum Twilight Markets at Tickle Park each Friday evening from 4pm to 8pm. They will be held right up to the 24th of January. More details: www.facebook.com
