Founder
CurrentQUALIS is a grass-roots non-governmental organization (NGO) that I established in 2008. Its missions are to economically empower indigent female artisans from rural Rajasthan; celebrate, preserve, and revive their craft; and educate indigent children, especially girls. QUALIS collaborates with college student volunteers and partners from all over the world. QUALIS is currently working with approximately 2,000 female artisans whom it empowers through its training programs, which teach them Rajasthani artisan skills including embroidery, handicraft, weaving, block printing, and mosaic glass work. Prior to their involvement with QUALIS, many of these women had little or no employment or vocational skills and were forced to beg on the streets. From QUALIS, women not only cultivate artisan expertise but also receive pay, health care, educational benefits, and legal aid. More importantly, they develop dignity and self-respect by becoming skilled in a vocation that helps them earn a living and celebrates their Rajasthani heritage. By gaining their own income source, women artisans are able to enhance their social standing in and outside the home. Check out our website: http://qualisjaipur.org/Check out our work with female artisans from the snake charming community: https://www.facebook.com/fankaaristudiofairtrade/
