Mata Traders

Mata Traders fair trade clothing and accessories are made by the hands of artisans in India and Nepal. Our artisans come from rural areas, tribal villages, and urban slums, but they all want the same thing – the chance to earn a fair wage and lift their families and communities out of poverty. By giving our artisans an opportunity, we are making a social impact on not just their lives, but the lives of generations to come. The artisan cooperatives are similar to social service agencies in the support they provide to end the cycle of poverty for the members and their families. Health care, paid maternity leave, retirement pensions, and daycare: all part of the membership package. Social workers on staff assist the artisans in addressing their personal needs, from opening a bank account to situations of domestic violence and dealing with HIV/AIDS. There are literacy classes, computer training, and regular workshops on topics like hygiene, nutrition, and parenting. We’ve seen this education really make a difference: co-op member Sidhama told us that before coming to the co-op, she never rode buses because she could not read the bus numbers. Now she travels around Mumbai by bus without problem. The women are empowered to navigate their own lives, quite literally!