Meet the Makers : Mata Traders

In India, child labor for jewelry-making shops is rampant. Also, women are often not empowered to have employment or to earn their own money. To combat these situations, Mata Traders partners with several artisan cooperatives in India and in Nepal that serve as not only places of employment, but as social services agencies.

The co-operatives are designed to empower women by providing educational opportunities, healthcare, daycare, and paid maternity leave. The cooperatives also provide assistance with things like opening a bank account, receiving care for HIV/AIDS, and leaving a violent domestic situation. They also provide literacy training, workshops on things like hygiene and good nutrition, parenting seminars, and computer training.

Many Mata Traders artisans receive job training and skills training through their cooperative and then go on to start their own workshops or to work independently. Makers can then become the head of their own group, helping women to support women and empowering entire villages to rise above the poverty threshold.

The Mata Traders items carried at Ethos Kolekto have been specially curated to showcase the many talents of their makers. From hammered brass to beautiful beadwork, these pieces are conversation starters that will, hopefully, inspire their wearers to shop fair and support artisans in other countries.