White Silk Scarf with Gold Trim

61"x26" White handmade silk scarf with gold trim.

Made By MKS:

This product is from MKS, a World Fair Trade Organization Certified artisan group based in West Bengal, India.  MKS assists their member artisans create and market high quality Fair Trade handicrafts.  MKS supports artisans and craftsmen in the unorganized sector of their society, who are talented in their traditional crafts but do not have access to the international marketplace.  MKS also provides educational and vocational training to new and experienced artisans who want to further improve their handicraft skills.  For example MKS provides training in sewing and block printing at the Children's Welfare Society in South Calcutta, a home for women and orphaned girls.  They have improved the lives of impoverished families in the poor neighborhoods of Kolkata through the Hazra Road Women's Crat Center, where women can sell their crafts to both domestic and international markets, generating an important source of income for their families.  Presently MKS gives financial, technical and marketing support to over 30 groups of artisans and entrepreneurs.

India has a rich tradition of handicrafts, the range of which is quite mind-boggling.  Almost every village in the country has its unique handicraft each one with its own unique style, design and craftsmanship.  Unfortunately, most of these traditional handicrafts are on the verge of extinction because of a lack of access to consumers and a lack of funds to buy raw materials.  Local banks will not give loans because of the lack of a marketplace to sell the goods, so poor artisans have no alternative but to turn to local money lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates.  This inevitably increases the cost of production, which reduces profit margins and makes it hard for artisans to make a living.  As a result many artisans have switched over to other occupations to sustain themselves and in turn the rich traditions of handicrafts are dwindling.  MKS is taking the initiative needed to rejuvenate Indian handicraft and to improve the standard of living for the artisans and their work force.