SETU – The Bridge to Artisans

Know the story

SETU – THE BRIDGE TO ARTISANS

SETU’ in Sanskrit means ‘the bridge’. As indicated from the name, 'SETU-The Bridge to Artisans’ acts as a bridge between the underprivileged/marginalized artisans and the international/affluent markets, at the same time, working for social, economic and environmental well-being of the artisan communities. 

Most of the artisan communities across the world are rich with local, traditional art forms, but lack the knowledge and means for access to markets. SETU takes up the role of bridging this gap and provide them with the necessary resources to produce functional goods using their traditional art. These products are then promoted in international markets as a means to achieve economic and social development for these communities.

Fair trade practices are used to give the artisans self- sustainability, self-confidence, and pride in their art. SETU works to improve their overall state of development including health care, education and infrastructure. They also try to use as many natural and recycled/reused materials/processes as they can to make the products environmentally responsible.

They are a for profit company with a goal to promote economic and social well-being in the world. They strive to increase awareness about Fair Trade and social responsibility by providing customers with information tags (that bring forth the human element behind the product) along with their merchandise. 

Your face mask will be supplied with one of these tags attached. A friend of Lisa’s is wearing one of these and likes the story so much that he chooses to keep the SETU label attached. In keeping with the SETU mission statement these masks have been made by a group of women who have been trained by SETU and the sewing machines with motors and tables have been provided by them.

 

More information about the training workshops can be obtained here.

SETU Collection