Meet the Makers! Vijaya and Yashoda tell us about what it’s like working with Secret Projects!

Meet the Makers! Vijaya and Yashoda tell us about what it's like working with Secret Projects!

 16th Apr 2019 |  Learn about us |  Fritha Mason


Vijaya and Yashoda are part of our Nature Maker Group in Hindupur in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Due to its geographical location, the state does not benefit from the southwest monsoon nor the northeast monsoon. It therefore suffers from complete lack of rainfall and drought is endemic to the region. This means that unlike in most rural locations, agricultural and livestock rearing do not provide a sustainable income for inhabitants of the region. This makes it one of the most impoverished and disadvantaged states in the south of the country.

Secret Projects connected with the women who now make up Nature Maker Group through a Catholic Brotherhood that provides community outreach and vocational training in the area. They have a fantastic training unit set up with treadle sewing machines where local women can come for training and to use the machines. This is where we meet up with the women of Nature Maker Group once a month to quality check their creations, provide feedback and to host training sessions for new products. This month we trained them in the production of our Secret Shopping Bags. We were deeply impressed by how quickly they grasped it!

These visits are an important time for us to check-in with our Makers. This month we sat down with Vijaya and Yashoda for a chat...

Vijaya (48 years old) is from a small village in Hindupur called Kirikera, where she has lived her entire life. She went to school until the 10th grade (16 years old), and she then got married and became a housewife. It was 15 years ago that she learnt how to sew through friends and neighbours in her village. In 2014 she connected with the Catholic Brotherhood through a community outreach programme they were hosting in her village. She became a sewing and dressmaking teacher at their production unit and estimates that she has now taught over 400 women and girls how to sew. This makes her feel proud that she can have an impact on other women's lives. She says it is her way of saying thank you to the women who taught her all those years ago and improved her situation, as sewing has changed her life. Through the money she earns from Secret Projects, Vijaya has been able to pay for her son's electrician course. She now plans to purchase a Xerox photocopying and printing machine to help him start his own business. We are so moved by the support you give to all those around you Vijaya!

Yashoda (28 years old) is the leader of Nature Maker Group. She coordinates production and organises meetings. Yashoda is originally from the state of Karnataka but moved to Hindupur 6 years ago for marriage. She learnt to sew at the Catholic Brotherhood's training complex. Making for Secret Projects is her first job, before that she was a housewife. She says it makes her feel more important now that she is able to contribute to household expenses. She is able to contribute towards her two children's school fees and her house rent. She has also been able to purchase her first treadle sewing machine and launch a micro-enterprise stitching sari blouses along with two other Makers that she runs from her home. She dreams of being able to purchase a power sewing machine and open a tailoring store on the main road in her town. With sustained order from Secret Projects, this dream is possible! As customers of Secret Projects, your choices make real and significant impact on the lives of our Makers throughout India and enable dreams like this to become reality.

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Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Our latest range is for our four-legged friends! Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog range for pets! Pets love scraps and so do we! Made from the . . . scrap pieces of fabric left over from production of our other collections, we knew that our latest range for pets would go down a storm with pets and their owners alike! Although the bandannas are perhaps more appreciated by the owners than their furry companion, every dog will just love that each bandana comes with a matching treat bag - and all pet lovers know just how important treats are! Very handily, our little bags have a secure drawstring, so treats stay safely inside whilst out on a walk. Cuteness aside, (and this range is so cute...) our Dig Dog range is made for us by our Makers (the name we give to the women who lovingly stitch our products) and each woman is paid a fair wage for her skills and is able to use the money she earns with us to support herself, her children and her family. So, your pet is responsible for empowering women economically! Woof! The Dig Dog range is available in a range of sizes and pattern and colours - so you can be sure to find something that is perfect for your pooch! Click here to view the full collection.   Image: Coco and Biscuit resplendent in their Dig Dog range bandannas!      
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Our first destash!

Our first destash!

What to do on a rainy Sunday? Hold our very first destash! You may be asking what a destash is?  In short, it's a call out to people to go through old . . . sewing supplies and fabric etc. and donate it to a good cause. With that good cause being Secret Projects! We set up in the Pulborough Village Hall (which is close to where our Business Unit is), and, through various advertising methods, the word had spread and we were delighted to welcome scores of people who came along with their very gratefully received donations. Donations weren't just brought in on the day, we had parcels sent to us and others dropped supplies round to our CEO's house in Pulborough ahead of the official destash day. In total we collected 325 kilos of delici0us pre-loved sewing supplies. Much of the fabric donated has been sorted and will be made up into our ever popular and best selling scrap packs available through our eBay and Etsy Stores. In fact, we now have over 30 different scrap packs to purchase and more will be added, so do keep visiting our stores. We are still taking donations and if you do have any fabric or pre-loved sewing supplies, please do get in touch via fritha@secretprojects.org And of course the most enormous thank you everyone who donated to, and also helped us run our very first destash! More to come! Let's hear it for destashing!   Image: offering a cup of tea to all who came along to the destash was one way of us saying a big thank you.
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We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We can make such good use of your pre-loved sewing supplies We have added various items of pre-loved sewing supplies to our online stores, including . . . scrap fabrics and buttons for the past few years and it has developed into a small but very good source of income for our Community Benefit Society. The pre-loved sewing supplies market is only getting stronger and is something we are keen to develop and grow and are therefore putting out an 'ask' to our customers and supporters (and of course, anyone else who reads this!) for your old sewing items. We would LOVE them! Ideas for sewing supplies donations! From scrap fabric, to buttons, to pins, to needles, to embroidery equipment, we would adore to talk to you about what you have. Sewing items can often have sentimental value - in fact, our Comms Manager, Margaret was just telling us about a pin cushion she has of her mother's that she could only give away to someone who would really appreciate, and make good use of. Maybe this has resonated with you. So, if you do have sewing supplies you would like to donate, please email Fritha Vincent Mason at: fritha@secretprojects.org. We would just LOVE your pre-loved sewing supplies!  
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