"When I joined Arpan Cooperative I didn't have any skill to do the MarketPlace work and no knowledge about the outside world. At Arpan, they taught me how to do different types of embroidery and they helped me to do my work efficiently and well. They gave me the courage to go on trains to get raw materials and collect fabric. Arpan is not just a place of work but it has given me my identity and my freedom."
Suhghanda, Arpan Cooperative
Overview of slums
An overview of the low-income neighborhood in Mumbai, where MarketPlace really began. Three of the co-operatives are located here.

GROWING FROM A NEED

MarketPlace: Handwork of India was incorporated in Illinois as a nonprofit organization in 1986. However, its origins go back to the June, 1980 founding of SHARE, a nonprofit organization in Mumbai, India. At that time, Pushpika Freitas and Lalita Monteiro began working with women from low-income families in Mumbai. The slums of Mumbai are full of women who need to support their families, but face obstacles including poor education, cultural barriers, and religious restrictions. Starting with three women, they taught them to make patchwork quilts by hand. This decision was made because the women did not own or know how to use sewing machines or have space for a machine in their homes. But they did know how to sew by hand. It was important for them to be able to work at home because they all had small children and could not afford childcare, even if it had been available.

In December, 1980 the first exhibition and sale of the handmade quilts was organized in Mumbai, India. Although there were numerous compliments on their superb quality and design, sales were dismal. As a result of this experience, two new strategies were devised: to change the product from quilts to apparel and to explore new markets.

Within 3 years the number of artisans had grown from 3 to over 75, but marketing the merchandise was still a challenge. Experiments with small volunteer home parties in the U.S. indicated that America would make an excellent market. Hence, MarketPlace: Handwork of India was established in the U.S. as a non-profit organization in 1986, and began to sell the products made by the women artisans in India. For the first 3 years sales continued to be made only through small home parties. In 1988, MarketPlace participated in its first wholesale show in Chicago and in 1990 the first catalog was printed and distributed.

Two catalogs, each with a new collection, are distributed a year; usually around March 1 and August 1. Most of the sales come from catalog orders and through the website, which also serves as a vehicle for information and donations. Several Inventory Clearance Sales are organized in the Chicago area every year. MarketPlace also participates in a variety of conferences, and sales and fashion shows held by churches, schools or other organizations or individuals. In addition, MarketPlace products are available in select stores throughout the U.S.

By 1992, the group had grown to over 120 artisans. At that point it was determined that if the goals of self-sufficiency, empowerment and social change were to be fulfilled in a meaningful and sustainable way, the artisans needed to own and run their own cooperatives. This resulted in the initial establishment of 5 cooperatives. Currently MarketPlace works with over 450 artisans, most of whom are women, organized into 14 independent cooperatives. These cooperatives are artisan-run businesses which give the women valuable experience in all aspects of production and management.

A SPONTANEOUS START

MarketPlace has stayed true to its roots. From its very inception, it has been driven by the artisans' needs and abilities rather than by some theory of development or a paternalistic mindset. Our orientation is truly "people-centered," inspired and shaped by the artisans' needs and abilities.

MarketPlace works along with the artisan collectives as an equal partner, providing information about market trends, customer research, potential opportunities, and sales analysis to support the development and viability of each cooperative. MarketPlace products are developed by first looking at the skills and needs of the artisans while keeping in mind the tastes and preferences of the customers. For example, most of the artisans need to work at home so that they can combine work with their daily household responsibilities, and many of them do not know how to use a sewing machine. For these reasons, hand embroidery has become the hallmark of MarketPlace's clothing and decorative items.

The artisans are directly involved in all aspects of the daily operations, including planning, production, management, and quality control. The women in each artisan group make their own decisions concerning such things as profit sharing and social programs. The social programs are specifically designed to help the women reach their full potential both in the job and at home.

MarketPlace's nonprofit partner SHARE oversees the aspects of development not directly related to running the businesses. On each piece of MarketPlace clothing is sewn the words, "Dignity, Not Charity," underscoring the message that there are no handouts here. These women are building and running successful businesses and successful lives.

Economic development is only the first step towards enhancing the self-esteem and leadership of the women artisans who are part of the MarketPlace Network. They are using the skills they have developed in business to improve opportunities for their children and are also going one step further to work for social change in their local communities, demanding clean water, adequate daycare, and better health care facilities.

To order a catalog, click here or call 800-726-8905.
For more information on Sales in your area that we attend, Call 847-328-4011