My recycling pile was rising and I asked Tusak, one of the men who collected and sold on recyclables to meet his family’s basic needs, if he would like me to drop it off. His reply humbled me. “Thank you but you can give it to Amkha. She has three children and a bicycle. I have two children and a motorbike.’
When we opened the doors to Hands of Hope, a new Good Shepherd Sisters’ project in 2005, Tusak’s wife Pit was among the first group of just six women who began. On day three, Pit did not show and we visited her village home to find out why. Tusak informed us that she would not be back – the reason - Pit had never used scissors. She had toiled planting rice, worked in the heat on building sites and was cooking and cleaning for her household but scissors posed a real challenge! Encouraged to return, Pit, who’s delicate health was being compromised outside by heavy physical manual labour, was soon cutting the smallest and most intricate designs.
Hands of Hope started as an income-generating project for those living with HIV/Aids. ARV medicine had become available in Thailand two years previously but it was clear that medicine alone was not going to save lives. It was of paramount importance that people had access to shelter, good nutrition, a livelihood and a social network that would provide encouragement and the will to live. From the outset, what we made was secondary to the life we shared and there has always been greater emphasis placed on relationship, community spirit and well-being, than the amount of work one was able to do.
Some face disabilities due to complications from the virus – cognitive impairment, restricted mobility, hand tremors that necessitate pasting rather than cutting, tiredness – and always the fear of compromised immune systems unable to cope with opportunistic infections.
In view of this, you would be excused thinking it to be a rather a dismal and depressing work environment but Hands of Hope lives up to its name and joy permeates the work rooms. Participants find dignity as they both design and co-produce what now exceeds 650 different cards, decorations, mobiles and gift items, made from saa (mulberry) paper and sold throughout the world.
One of our producers Jiem, celebrates the global connections. “ I will never have the opportunity to travel abroad but as we send my creations to other countries, a small part of me goes with them. In that way, I get to ‘travel’.”
The Good Shepherd Sisters, since coming to Nong Khai, northeastern Thailand, in 1981 to work in the Laos refugee camps, have always provided opportunities by which people can help themselves. However, for those unable to work, welfare assistance and access to services is ensured through the Outreach Programme. This programme relies on grants and donations from those who share the same vision.
Hands of Hope however, does not request donations, for as an income generating project, we want to be sustainable through the work of our hands – and hearts – but to do so, we need continuing sales.
We invite you to view our wholesale website and take delight in the vast number of original designs you will discover. And remember – by placing an order, you will be inviting Jiem, Pit, Dow, Faa, Wasana and many more into your home!
www.handsofhopewholesale.com