Asha Handicrafts Association (India)
Asha represents more than 6,500 artisans in 10 states of India. The association’s name, meaning “hope” in Sanskrit, represents its goal to sustain the marketing ability of individual and family–based artisans. A non-profit fair trade organization, Asha works to ensure that benefits of handicraft production reach the craftspeople themselves. Asha promotes sustainability and helps eliminate producer debt through direct purchases and advance payments. Producer benefits include educational assistance for children, medical checkups and treatment, a health center at Saharanpur, savings programs for artisans and spouses, education projects and relief–related social projects.
Asha is a member of the International Fair Trade Association, the European Christian Alternative Trading Association and a founding member of Fair Trade Forum–I and Asia Fair Trade Forum.
You can find stories about their artisans at the Asha Handicrafts web site.
