[Women] Fw: Keeping to Our Mission

[Rebecca Phillips]

Not sure if this is appropriate, but Marketplace, a company many of us have used in the past, seems to be doing its best to support its Indian artisans during their country's lockdown.  I do not need any new clothes but may make a purchase anyway, since their pieces last pretty much forever. I am still wearing the jacket I bought in 1999 (though the cuffs are a little frayed).

Rebecca

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."-- Cicero
________________________________
From: MarketPlace: Handwork of India <marketplace at marketplaceindia.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2020 12:24 PM
To: bennphil at hotmail.com <bennphil at hotmail.com>
Subject: Keeping to Our Mission

An Update from MarketPlace
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Over the past few weeks, all of our lives have taken a drastic turn. Here at MarketPlace, it is anything but “business as usual.”<https://marketplaceindia.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ce5e6d36159fde837d8b63a6b&id=8f8b17f243&e=1db06dac90> However, we are doing what we do best: Continuing to empower the artisans and assist in helping them to maneuver situations. The lives and income of the artisans depend on a future that includes employment.

India is now in a government-mandated full country shut down until April 14th. Imagine 1.2 billion people staying at home! Particularly in the city slums, homes are very small and under normal circumstances, everyone would only be there together for dinner and sleep.

MarketPlace staff members are each calling 3 artisans a day and artisans are calling one another to check in and keep spirits up. Thankfully every family does have access to a cell phone.

To help in the short term (however long that proves to be) MarketPlace is providing each artisan 60% of the cost that is required to purchase food for their families. The government is also subsidizing food and providing some essentials free of cost. This crisis, however, has not eliminated corruption in ration shops, so staff members are educating the women on their rights and how to register complaints. The artisans are using their knowledge and confidence to stick up for themselves and their neighbors!

I have personally been calling 3 or 4 staff members and artisan leaders every day. Although they know sales are down, they are determined to get through this and start working as soon as it is safe. Our existing inventory will run out, but we will be taking backorders. Please continue to place orders. This information will be shared with the artisans weekly. It is important for the artisans to know that there is work waiting for them and this will keep their spirits and hopes up.

In these difficult times, we are so grateful for our wonderful customers. And we continue to be impressed by the artisans’ determination and optimism. Together we will overcome the challenges of COVID-19 and make the world a better place.

We will be regularly posting updates to our blog<https://marketplaceindia.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ce5e6d36159fde837d8b63a6b&id=c315dbee8f&e=1db06dac90> about the situation in India and how the artisans are faring. Please look after yourselves and be safe.

Pushpika Freitas
President
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