This playful tote may look all fun and games, but its serious about its mission to keep India's streets and slums clean. Handmade by female slumdwellers in the city of Chennai, each is tightly handwoven using recycled plastic strips, perfect for picnics, farmers markets and easter egg hunts. Also named one of the best new products of 2009 at the LA International Gift Fair.
- Measures 10" high x 10" diameter
- Opening at the top measures approximately 8" in diameter
- Two interior pockets for extra organization
- Includes small metal feet to reduce wear and tear
- Available in Black or Blue with matching lining and a convenient drawstring closure
Handmade in India and fair trade imported.
SPEED Trust Artisan Story - Recycled Baskets
India
SPEED Trust (Slum People Education & Economic Development), is a
non-profit organization based in Chennai, India. The organization
supports, socio-economically deprived women from the urban slum areas of
Chennai. SPEED Trust partnered with Baladarshan, a fair trade network
of organizations which supports various women craft producers,
organizations and cooperatives working towards creating better
livelihood opportunities, self-sustainability and a platform for their
products.
SPEED Trust was started in 1999 at Gandhi Nagar Sathyayani Muthu Nagar, one of the largest slum areas in Chennai. The project began with a tailoring training to teenage girls from the slum community, who after a period of one year, were provided with a sewing machine by the trust. Simultaneously, SPEED Trust also set up educational programs which have helped women and girls to choose different occupations and livelihood options.
In 2002, SPEED Trust began training the physically challenged and HIV affected members from the community in the skill of basket weaving, these members were either unable to move or find work opportunities outside their homes. These unique baskets were woven out of recycled plastic (Polyethylene) wires. Apart from these magnificent baskets, the artisans at Speed Trust make several other interesting products which include, bags and aprons from salvaged billboards and hand-rolled insence and cones. The trust now runs a production unit and a showroom by the name of Varnajalam in Chennai, where they carry an array of handmade products by these women artisans.
Today SPEED Trust has been able to expand its reach, not only in the domestic, but also the in the international market. Apart from providing vocational and educational training to women and girls from the slum community, SPEED trust also gives micro-credit loans to these artisans. The loan facility helps in making them independent and their businesses self-sustainable.