Arifa

ARTISAN#: 05

Meet Arifa. She is a twenty-eight year old woman who lives in the Muslim slums of the Kadapa District in Andhra Pradesh, India. As with most slum children, Arifa was never educated and cannot read or write. She has an eight year old daughter and currently lives with her mother. Arifa’s husband broke his legs in an accident and his medical bills put the family in severe debt. Her husband now works in Kuwait but barely earns enough money to cover the cost of the interest on the debts, leaving the family with nothing to live off of. Her sister-in-law, Parveen, who had become financially independent by working with Vijay Foundation Trust and One Thread Fair Trade, brought Arifa to our facilities. Arifa was in dire straits when she arrived for training and work. She had suffered two miscarriages and the death of one child, and was struggling to feed her daughter and herself. Her daughter was sent to the local village school and was not receiving a proper education.

Arifa’s life has changed for the better since becoming a fair trade artisan. With the fair wages she earns, she is able to feed her family and improve their living conditions. Her daughter now attends the Aarti School in Kadapa and is becoming a good student. When we asked Arifa how she feels about herself now, she answers that she feels good that she is able to stand on her own feet. She believes in family. Her dream is for her daughter to become an educated, successful woman and grow up to lead better life than what she had. Arifa is a wonderful mother and we are privileged to have her on our team.

FUN FACT: Arifa loves village festivals and dances