Empowerment

When I meet people who are reluctant to visit India because of the poverty they may encounter, my response is, go, see, be inspired and do something about it. Support a social enterprise. Buy ethical products. Donate to one of the many projects that work directly with women in the villages.

Indians embrace life with an energy and urgency that is truly inspiring. Yes, there is grinding poverty, awful conditions and dreadful human suffering but from that comes an amazing determination to make the best of circumstances, be creative and incredibly industrious.

Sophie Pattinson is a textile designer. In 1998 she was asked by the EU to establish a project aimed at providing women in deprived areas of Bangladesh with the necessary skills to enable them to support themselves, and thus The Bangladesh Embroidery Project was born. Many of the women had no experience of sewing and the training had to start from scratch. Since those early days, Sophie has continued the project raising her own funds, returning to Bangladesh on a regular basis and continuing to work with the women. The quality of their work is exceptional.  After each trip she brings back a collection of completed work based on her own designs.

The project allows the women to earn their own money and make modest improvements to their living standards and educating their children. It also creates a bond between them, meeting together, discussing daily topics and creating a strong support system. 

Find out more about Sophie Pattinson, or place an order or a commission at www.sophiepattinson.com. 

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