Artisan ID #: TEK-A-04
At 17, Bharti is grateful for the embroidery work that provides income and food security for her family.
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She dropped out of 7th grade in order to care for her mother who developed severe back pain.
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Childhood was difficult for Bharti because she longingly watched friends attend school while she did housework. Her dream was to finish school.
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Embroidery provided a solution to her depression because she was able to learn and earn money for her family. In fact, she happily recalls learning the art from her mother.
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Today, Bharti smiles as she talks about embroidery. It's not only helped her recover from depression, but also given her hope. She's contemplating going back to school!
Bharti loved school, but sacrificed the opportunity to get an education so she could care for her ailing mother and thus allow her younger siblings to continue their studies.
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Her two younger siblings are still in school and doing well.
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Doing household work and caring for her mother were fulfilling activities, but Bharti longed to learn new skills. Mastering the art of embroidery gave her self-confidence and purpose.
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She works three to four hours a day, often embroidering between domestic duties.
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She is grateful for the opportunity to work and contribute to her family.
Bharti loves to learn! When you ask her about her dreams, she tells you that she'd love to finish school.
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Her mother has a severe back problem that prevents her from doing many normal daily tasks, so Bharti dreams that one day her mother's back pain will be more bearable, and she'll be able to lead a more comfortable life.
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Other than finishing school and wishing her mother were better, Bharti contentedly smiles and says the opportunity to work and embroider has already fulfilled many of her dreams!
Working on embroidery and developing new techniques with the needle has helped Bharti overcome depression and gain greater self-respect.
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She loves working with the other women and feels a camaraderie with her "sisters."
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Aside from the financial fulfillment that work provides, Bharti is also able to take part of the food security loan program that loans her grains and spices, re-payable at low interest rates.