Indonesia

More than 17,000 islands. Over 230 million people. The fourth largest country in the world.

Afar has partnered with one artisan who has given us some insight into her life there. She writes,

"There have been more than nine natural disasters in the last two and a half years alone. My husband has been at most of them helping out in first response, sometimes with a team of other workers. We have a flood rescue boat, pumps, generators, etc. We have long lasting relationships with the victims. We do this from the jewelry sales. Thanks for all you do. People that you don't know benefit from what you are doing."

You love the cross stitch items we sell? Here's another encouraging example of true transformation though cross stitch:

One young woman named Leni* had not been able to walk from birth, and she had very little self confidence or purpose in her life. She was bored with listening to her radio and unable to help her struggling parents to make a living. Incapable of leaving the house unless she was carried, she seldom went anywhere.

Leni's cousin Ida had learned the art of cross stitch from one of our trainers, and was already churning out large intricate pieces, receiving a good wage for her labor. This more than piqued Leni's interest to see if she could manage this art of cross stitch too. So, asking her cousin to be her spokesperson, she requested lessons from the trainer. Only one catch! She lived with her parents a long way into the hills from the home of the trainer and the cross stitch center. "No problem," said Rita, the trainer. "I will come and stay over for two nights, and teach you in your home."

After a three-day training session, Leni "got it". She was left with a packet of thread, needle, pattern and cloth, and left to make a full design on her own (with her cousin to check on her progress). One month later she presented her completed work, faultless, to Rita. Totally delighted, Rita gave her an even harder piece. Now Leni's friend decided she wanted to do this too, and came all the way from her village into the town center to learn. She stayed in town three days, but however hard she tried, she couldn't do it! No problems with her hands or feet, she just couldn't get her head around the principles. On the other hand Leni, a cripple with partly deformed hands, could produce beautiful craftsmanship. Oh the joy on Leni's face when she discovered she could do something that her friend with all her limbs intact couldn't do! This dramatically impacted her life and gave her a huge boost of self confidence, dignity and purpose in life.

Now she is still producing beautiful work and able to supplement the family's income. She has come out of herself and takes pride in her work. Although she takes longer than someone with perfectly formed hands, her workmanship never ceases to amaze us.

*Pseudonyms have been used for privacy.