DEAR SIR/MADAM,
HELLO & GOOD MORNING FROM INDIA!
AT FIRST GREETINGS FROM ALL OF US HERE AT ARTISANS EFFORT!

 

HOW ARTISANS EFFORT WAS BORN:
Artisans Effort is a family owned private organization working only with fair trade import organizations and following fair trade criteria.

The Artisans Effort groups of artisans are from various places in local but most from Asansol which is 200 kms. away from Kolkata, all specialists in their own fields in handicrafts items.They came together under one roof as they had  heard about fair trade.

They heard that with fair trade you are treated with respect, that a fair  price is paid and that a good relation is built between the producer and seller. All of us attached with this organisation had been previously not treated well. They had many problems like eg. not being paid well, there was irregularity of work and above all were rudely treated.
Slowly this group started to know more about fair trade procedures and had also attended the Fair Trade Forum in India to know more about the fair trade.
This is how Artisans Effort was born in October 2003.

 

PRODUCT RANGE OF ARTISANS EFFORT:

LEATHER ACCESSORIES, JEWELLERY,COTTON EMBROIDERED BEDSPREADS,CUSHION COVER,COTTON EMBROIDERED WALL HANGINGS, COTTON STUFFED HANGING TOYS,EDUCATIONAL TOYS, BUNTINGS,TORANS,SILK & COTTON  SCARVES,COTTON EMBROIDERED BAGS,PAPERMACHE PRODUCTS, ,RE-CYCLED CANDYWRAPPERS PRODUCTS,PAPER BAGS   ETC.

ARTISANS EFFORT PEOPLE:

 Today there are more than 150 people involved with Artisans Effort. 60% are women and 40% are men.  Since Artisans Effort is an artisans based organization, the artisans needs and difficulties are very closely understood.
We have always requested our fair trade importers to provide us with regular work (be it small or big) so that Artisans Effort can help as much needy people as they can.There are so many skilled artisans who is the only bread-earner in the family.Whatever he/she earns the entire family is looked upon.This is the reason why we keep requesting our buyers to give us the work in regularity so that they can stable their lives.

 

SOME REALITY OF A WOMAN WHO IS WORKING WITH US IN OUR UNIT:
Mariam:
Husband died many years ago leaving  her with a daughter and son to raise. After her husband died, Mariam’s in laws started torturing her physically and mentally.  Mariam was forced to leave her home. To earn money , Mariam used to work in several houses as part time washing clothes and doing house work.  One day Mariam heard about Artisans Effort and contacted them. They realized that Mariam was very talented with hand embroidery. After a three month training programme in 2004 ,  Mariam  began working  with Artisans Effort. Artisans Effort is also paying for and ensuring that Mariam’s children receive a good education.

 

Radhika (name changed on advice)
She does not have any child due to some problem with her husband.
This is the saddest part in her life.
Husband does not have any job and she is the only earner of the house.
Whatever she earns from Artisans Effort helps her run her house of 2 person.
Her in-laws house is in the same premises and is given lots and lots of trouble by them because she cannot give a birth to a child inspite of the fact that the problem is with the husband.
Before joining Artisans Effort,she used to be in tremendous pressure staying at home.
But she had a skill and she joined Artisans Effort.
She is now the most promising staff of Artisans Effort like Jhuma.

 

 

Asma (name changed on advice)
Her father sells morning breakfast on the roadside.
They are 5 members in a family who stays 1 small room.
The family required more earnings in the house as it was very difficult for the father to run the house.
Now she is also earning from Artisans Effort and is helping her father to run the house.
She is now the regular staff of Artisans Effort

 

Alpana:
Her husband is a carpenter and cannot hear properly due to some problem with his hear.
She is an asthma patient and she was looking for a job where she is not dealt strictly and commercially.
She came to know about environment of work  at Artisans Effort through someone and offered us.
We accepted her offer and now she is the regular staff of Artisans Effort.

 

ARTISANS EFFORT FOLLOWS THE FAIR TRADE CRITERIA:

Upto 20% more is paid in compared to the commercial rate to all the artisans and staff who are attached with Artisans Effort

Staff’s salary and artisans prices are increased every year.
Artisans Effort provides the extra bonus to people who are attached with us and the ones who are regular.
This bonus (monitory as well as clothing) is given to them during the festivals.
Artisans Effort also takes care of the family member when they fall sick or hospitalized.
Loan without any interests are given to the artisans and staffs when it is required.
The best artisans and staffs are given the award for their yearly performance.
A very healthy working environment given to all attached to Artisans Effort.
SOME WORK THICS:
1.  fairer way of doing business
2. fair prices are paid to reflect the true costs of production
3.  fair working conditions are provided for the artisans
4. Support to the  local communities
5. Avoid child labour
6. commitment for long term relationships

Artisans Effort and it’s social activities and aim :

At present, Artisans Effort has taken the responsibility of 8 poor and needy children from Asansol and Howrah (West Bengal ) Their books, uniforms and school fees are borne by this organisation.
Since we do not have much source of income as we are working with very handful of fair trade buyers and the turn-over of this organization is small,much cannot be done at this point of time.
But,with the help and kind support of you esteemed overseas buyers,Artisans Effort is slowly but steadily coming up each year by God’s grace.

Artisans Effort aim is that in the future they will open a school where certain percentage of very poor and needy children will get free education,uniforms,books etc.for poor and needy children in Asansol. By God’s grace Artisans Effort has purchased a small land of 7200 Sq.Ft. for the school in Asansol and we are very thankful to handful of fair trade buyers who is supporting us with consistent work.
The construction work has already started.
We are also thankful to the buyer who has contributed some for our dream project.

UPDATE ON ARTISANS EFFORT – DREAM PROJECT SCHOOL:
SCHOOL PROJECT IS A DREAM PROJECT OF ARTISANS EFFORT FROM THE TIME IT
STARTED.
THIS SCHOOL WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY OF ATLEAST 300 STUDENTS.IN THE
BEGINNING WE WILL GIVE THE FREE EDUCATION TO ABOUT 5% REALLY NEEDY
ONES.
IN THE BEGINNING WE ARE UNABLE TO GIVE MORE FREE EDUCATION BECAUSE WE
HAVE THE SCHOOL MAINTAINENCE WHERE THERE WILL BE A PRINCIPAL,TEACHERS
AND OTHER STAFF TO RUN THE SCHOOL,THEN THERE IS THE ELECTRICITY AND
OTHER MAINTAINENCE TOO.
THE BEST PART WOULD BE THAT THIS SCHOOL WILL ONLY KEEP THE PRINCIPAL
AND ALL THE STAFF WHO ARE EDUCATED BUT ARE NEEDY TOO.BECAUSE IN WEST
BENGAL THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE EDUCATED BUT DO NOT HAVE THE JOB
OR THERE ARE SOME WOMEN WHO ARE EDUCATED BUT DOES NOT HAVE THE HUSBAND
AND ARE SHY ENOUGH TO COME OUT AND WORK AND THERE ARE SOME WHO HAS THE
HUSBAND BUT DOES NOTHING.SO,ARTISANS EFFORT WILL SEARCH THESE SORT OF
PEOPLE AND WILL KEEP THEM AS THEIR STAFF IN THIS SCHOOL.

THE SCHOOL BUILDING IS IN 7200 SQ.FT.
AT PRESENT THE ACCOMADTION IS FOR 200 STUDENTS.IT HAS UPTO UPTO 5TH.
STANDARD. THE BANKS ARE UNABLE TO GIVE THE LOAN FOR THE SCHOOL BECAUSE
AS PER THEIR NORMS IF THE SCHOOL IS UNABLE TO RE-PAY THEN THEY WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO SEIZE THE PROPERTY BECAUSE IT IS A SCHOOL AND DUE TO
THE PUBLIC INTERESTS THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.
WELL,ARTISANS EFFORT SLOWLY AND STEADILY TRYING TO GIVE THEIR OWN FUND
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO FULFIL THE DREAM THEY THOUGHT OF FROM THE TIME IT STARTED.
AT PRESENT,THE SCHOOL BUILDING IS COMPLETED IN 7200 SQ.FT. BUT THE CREDIT WE GOT FROM THE BUILDING MATERIAL PEOPLE AND SOME LOAN FROM OUR CLOSE FRIENDS AND FATHER-IN-LAW,WE HAVE TO PAY EACH MONTH OF ABOUT USD$800 TILL 2018.

 

ACCORDING TO THE NORMS FOR THE SCHOOL,WE NEED 60 KATHA (43200 SQ.FT.),WE ALREADY HAVE 10 KATHA (7200 SQ.FT.) AND WE NEEDED ANOTHER 50 KATHA (36000 SQ.FT.) LAND OR ELSE WE WILL NOT GET THE AFFILIATION FOR BOARD EXAMINATIONS.WE FOUND THE LAND JUST BEHIND OUR SCHOOL.
EARLY 1ST. WEEK OF OCTOBER 2015,WE HAD A LONG DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LAND OWNER.DEAL HAS BEEN DONE FOR THE REQUIRED 50 KATHA (36000 SQ.FT.) LAND IN AN INSTALMENT BASIS. IT WILL BE A VERY STRESSFUL MONTHS FOR US TILL THE PAYMENT OF THE 50 KATHA (36000 SQ.FT.) LAND IS CLEARED.WE HAVE TO CLEAR THE LAND OWNER IN 32 MONTHS.
1.THE DEAL IS $120000
2.WE HAVE TO PAY APPROX. $3750 EACH MONTH BY THE 8TH. OF EACH MONTH.
3.THIS WILL START FROM OCTOBER 2015 FOR 32 MONTHS.
4.IT IS DEFINITELY A TOUGH DEAL BUT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE OR ELSE THE INVESTMENT IN THE SCHOOL WILL NOT BE FRUITFUL FOR THE STUDENTS.
5.WE KNOW THAT,BASICALLY MINE AND SHAISTA’S HAIR IS GOING TO TURN GREY SOON DUE TO STRESS BUT IF IT IS FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN WE REALLY DO NOT MIND.

 

Quality Control:
1.First we check the raw materials which will be used in the products before the production starts.
2.Then the production of the products goes on the floor.
3.The checking department keeps checking the production articles every alternative days to see if everything is going fine with the said articles.
4.After the products are ready,it is checked by our store department who are responsible for checking all the goods before it is finally packed.
5. When the store department finds any rejection at the time of checking,we replace it or even repair it if it is very minor and is easily repairable.
6.Finally,each and every articles is very carefully checked before going for a final packaging.

 

Payment terms:
1.We get 50% advance when we send the proforma invoice and the balance 15days before the cargo is sent.Some of our customers pays us 100% advance too.

Production times:
1.We usually get about 1 -2 months time for the smaller orders and sometimes even a bigger orders.
But normal production time for the standard orders we get approx. 75 -90 days.
2.Usually we always try to work out as per buyers date of delivery.They give sufficient time as per the size of the orders.
3.By God’s grace we have been very consistent to our buyers as far as the delivery is concerned.We always confirm the delivery date at the time of taking the orders to maintain the delivery schedule.

Service to the buyers:
Artisans Effort always try to give the best service possible to our respected buyers.
We keep up-dating at regular intervals to our buyers of the orders placed by them.
We keep developing new samples from time to time so that our buyers can offer more and more to their whole-saler/retailer and can do more marketing of the products.
We try to reply as fast as possible to their asked questions/e-mail.
We always try to make our respected buyers happy and satisfied with the best we can.
OUR MOTTO:
WE BELIEVE THAT FAIR TRADE ENABLES BEAUTIFUL HAND MADE PRODUCTS TO BE SOLD AT A PRICE THAT IS BOTH REASONABLE FOR THE CUSTOMER AND LIFE CHANGING FOR THE ARTISANS.

We always try to build long term trade relation with the handful of customers we work with.
We hope to give you the best service possible.
Thanks and God Bless!
Long Live Fair Trade!

 

Best Regards,
Artisans Effort
Ejaz & Shaista