There’s a saying that mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Some of
the highest altitude oaks in the world grow in Nepal, which is where Danusha
began in 2008.
I remember the first time I stepped into the workshop at Lalgadh
Leprosy Services centre. It was an incredibly moving experience as I watched
women whose fingers had been lost to nerve damage manipulate stones and thread
to make objects of beauty.
As well as training in jewellery making we provide adult literacy
lessons, decent wages, good food, basic health and hygiene education and we’ve
sponsored compost toilets too - very important in the fight against pollution
of drinking water. Childhood diarrhoea is one of the main causes of death in
children under the age of 5, simply because people don’t have access to clean
water.
I’ve always been concerned about issues like poverty, equality and
human rights, and think it’s important for us all to do what we can to make the
world a better place for everyone. Along the way I’ve been inspired by ordinary
people who work to get the job done. You won’t read about them in books but
many of my friends work really hard for the benefit of other people.
My Danusha experience has been life changing for me. I think far
more carefully about what I buy and opt for fair trade whenever possible. I
spend a fair amount of time in south east Asia and have seen first hand some
terrible working conditions.
Take a moment to look around. What can you see? If you’re reading
this I guess there’s a computer, phone or tablet not too far away. Imagine all
the people involved in making it. It’s impossible to know just how many pairs
of hands it’s been through on its journey to your home, but it’s a fair bet
there’s been some exploitation along the way. I’m not saying ‘don’t have stuff’,
simply that we should all do what we can to redress the balance from time to
time, and buying fair trade is a good first step.
At Danusha, highlights have been working direct with the women to
develop new designs, and watching them blossom as they gain in confidence. In
their society any association with leprosy is a one way ticket to ostracisation
so it’s fantastic to see them regaining the respect of their families and being
accepted back into their communities. This is what skills training does. It gives
people back their dignity and I love it! I also love the light and life and
colour of Nepal. Being there is like fire for the soul.
You can find and find a wide range of Danusha pieces of jewellery at both www.facebook.com/ConfusedArt and www.con-fusedarts.co.uk
From Alli of Danusha,
www.danusha.org
Well ladies, something has just occurred to me and I have to do something about it! I am just wondering if anyone else has the same issue. It's my jewellery storage/display (or lack there of) techniques, ha ha. Most jewellery is stored away in lovely boxes. I am definitely beginning to think that "out of sight, out of mind" also applies to my jewellery. I know that I probably only wear about 5-10% of my jewellery when there is no eye candy to get my creative juices flowing ;) Does this sound familiar?
So my mission is to have my jewellery beautifully displayed (using LITTLE or NO MONEY) in our bedroom using not very much space :). You see, I love jewellery because whether I am having a good day or bad day, jewellery is there to brighten me up! If I am having a thin day or podgy day, jewellery fits me regardless :) 
