THE BAREFOOT SELLER

The Barefoot Seller is an endeavour to encourage, motivate and nurture the

rural women and youth of Africa who are into cottage industries & in production of indigenous artisanal

products by promoting domestic consumption as well as finding new markets for their products which aims

at reducing extreme poverty

A story of artisans who have the wealth of their skill and the courage to see their dreams

come true

"Artisanal products are those produced by artisans, either completely by hand, or

with the help of hand tools or even mechanical means, as long as the direct manual

contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished

product. These are produced without restriction in terms of quantity and using raw

materials from sustainable resources. The special nature of artisanal products

derives from their distinctive features, which can be utilitarian, aesthetic, artistic,

creative, culturally attached, decorative, functional, traditional, religiously and

socially symbolic and significant." Definition of artisanal products adopted by the UNESCO/ITC Symposium, Crafts and the International Market: Trade and Customs Codification - Manila, October 6-8, 1997

"...Poverty may be defined as a human condition characterized by sustained or chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living and other civil,cultural, economic, political and social rights" United Nations Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights, 2001

WE CALL IT AN ARTISANAL REVOLUTION

BE A PART OF IT !

ARTISANAL REVOLUTION

"In handicrafts there is a continuous swing between utility and beauty. That swing has a name: pleasure." - Octavio Paz.

Making “handicrafts & art” a part of our daily lives not ONLY a object

of decoration

This wave of “Artisanal Revolution” can be a part of any culture & community irrespective of race, place and language the artisans belong.

An artisanal World !!

Why focus on artisanal products?

• The artisanal sector is an part informal industry, which can create livelihood at minimal cost ; development of new and an socially aware market is the challenge. • Rural Women not only inherits in poverty but also inherits lack of confidence due to which they are reluctant to venture out in business; cottage industries helps them to remain in their setup in initial stages yet be able to be a source of income herself. Once she either becomes the bread winner or one of the contributors she breaks the shackles of poverty and lack of confidence. • It helps in restoring some of the rare and extinct art forms of any particular region or community. Development of “market” gives impetus to the artisans. It Protects the “indigenous” element of our society, which face a threat of being lost In absence of feeder markets. • It doesn’t disturb the cultural and the social balance of home or community.

• The artisanal sector is largely dependent on tourism industry, therefore the GAP between the artisans and the markets are sometimes so wide that they are filled up by middlemen who makes the artisans to be trapped in the vicious circle of poverty. • Disabled women/ youth are considered as “discarded”. This initiative helps them to lead a normal life without being dependent.

Raison D être

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WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO EMPOWER, ENGAGE AND EDUCATE WOMEN TO REDUCE POVERTY ?

• Out of the total figures which constitutes the people living in poverty world wide, 70% are women. • Africa has a huge informal economy , stats show that in most of the countries women contributes three fourth of the household expenses. It is extremely important for a woman to be assisted in becoming self sufficient economically. • Women are vulnerable to poverty due to their high illiteracy

rate, lack of decision making power over their fertility and early marriage of girls .

• A disabled women is almost considered as discarded. Even if the husband is disabled, the burden of running the family comes on the women.

CHALLENGES

Inherits poverty therefore no access to capital resources. Inherits “lack of confidence” due to which she has limited access to markets. Lack of market information Lack of marketing skills Weak infrastructure for the women / youth in remote areas Women with disability are taken as “discarded”

The rural women practically lives in an isolation; Barefoot Seller wants to bridge these various gaps created by cultural norms, economic condition,

gender inequality and various social and economical hurdles.

WHAT BAREFOOT SELLER INTENDS TO DO

BOOST THE DEMAND OF ARTISANAL PRODUCTS

IMPROVE THE SUPPLY OF ARTISANAL PRODUCTS

BOOST THE

DEMAND

OF ARTISANAL PRODUCTS

• Corporate Fairs • Live Art Exhibitions • Online Store for overseas

customers • Artisans Exchange Programme • Dedicated shelves in

supermarket for domestic customers

• Export to various other parts of the world

When every artist in will be as confident as any corporate women

because she is empowered economically,

socially and emotionally.

IMPROVE THE SUPPLY OF ARTISANAL PRODUCTS

Artisanal Revolution is incomplete without

Bridging the gap between “what the customers want”

&

“what is available”

• Workshops for artisans about making their art more closer to daily lives.

• Workshop on Marketing Skills

• Infrastructure support, to make markets accessible

• Micro credit schemes

• Quality Analysis

THANK YOU