Threads of Hope
So much of life depends on where you land.
For me, I was born a white female who landed in a small town in Colorado, into a thriving local community, where education was abundant, and in a country where opportunity is available at everyone’s fingertips. I just needed to choose my path.
Pretty simple…..
Yet, recently walking through a small, remote village called Setrawa in India, I found myself continually wondering….what if I had landed here?
What would my life have been like?
What if I was born as a Dalit, a member of India’s lowest caste system, and faced extreme prejudice on a daily basis?
What if I was born into this society where 55% of men believe domestic violence is justified for things like “failing to seek permission to leave the house” or “ a meal that didn’t quite turn out right”?
What if my husband was chosen for me, and at the age of 14 or 15 I was married off?
What if I was required to wear heavy metal bands around my ankles for life, as a sign I was now married?
What if the patriarchal society where I was born pressured me into a life with absolutely no opportunity?
A life predetermined for me…..just because of where I landed.
On my recent trip to India, I met woman after woman who landed in Setrawa and face these hardships, abuse and prejudices.
Every. Single. Day.
Distressed and heavy hearted, I asked myself where is the hope?
Tucked away, down a small dirt road, there lies a modest building that is providing these women with the smallest thread of hope. Created by a local grassroots organization, called Sambhali Trust, this simple space is making a huge difference. Once permission is granted from their husbands to come, it is here that local woman can find a place of solace.
A community of women now joined together, whose voices are now heard and new opportunities are provided them to weave together a new chapter to their story. Twenty woman per year are given the opportunity to receive a basic education, learn vocational sewing skills and most importantly improve their self esteem and confidence in a loving, safe environment.
It’s life changing…
And at the end of the twelve month program each woman receives:
Their own sewing machine to take home to make their own clothes, or create a new business of their own.
Continued support and a community of like minded woman to move forward in life with.
And a thread of hope……that life will now be different for them…..even though that is where they landed.
From now until December 31st a matching grant has been set up to continue to help these women. Every donation made up to $2000 will be matched dollar for dollar. $60 US dollars can buy a sewing machine, $20 can help buy new fabric and thread, or just sharing this story will go a long way. I would love to have your help. :) Click on the following link to donate: https://grouprev.com/threadsofhope-india/donate?amount=
For more information about this amazing organization and all the ways they are empowering women and children in India, please visit www.sambhalitrust.org .
