The organization, called MESH whose full name is the same as its aim and purpose, that is, to Maximise Employment to Serve the Handicapped, is based in Delhi, near South Extension. The work of the NGO is as the name suggests, to provide employment to people with disabilities and those affected by leprosy. They are a fairly small but quite an efficient organization certified by the World Fair Trade Org, which means that they follow the Ten principles of fair trade and ensure payments are fairly distributed to the deserving artisans i.e. the disabled and leprosy affected people who handcraft their own products which MESH brings to Delhi and exports worldwide.
Their shop in Delhi, though small, has quite a lot of wondrous artwork to see, tote-bags, scarves, earrings, necklaces and many others!, Surprisingly all made by artisans with disabilities. As I went into their shop, I was greeted with colorful bags and vibrant scarves and playful toys, the sort of environment you would see in an art gallery or some workshop. The people who had employed me as an intern proceeded to show me around the shop; I was quite fascinated seeing the various products that they had to offer, all sorts of colors and designs were present as you would expect from a retail workshop that uses machines to make its products however all the things I was seeing were handcrafted by talented artisans!
As I was shown around the shop I realized how much hard work, patience and care went into each product and each process to source the raw materials and export the finished products as well, making sure at each step that the product is up to standard and that artisans are fairly paid for their work.
Looking at this from a student’s perspective, it is something which the youth could support and actually fund with happiness. However, even though the idea of helping people with disabilities in a way that isn’t condescending to them and giving them what they really want i.e. a chance to work and actually earn by themselves for their own families, is quite fascinating to students, perhaps as soon as it disrupts their own comfortable space, they will abandon it. I, as an intern, who visited MESH and met those people who work hard to feed their families, can tell you that it is indeed a worthwhile act that requires dedication and commitment and something that is worth complimenting on and praising.
MESH continues its relations with my college i.e. ST. STEPHENS COLLEGE so it can continue getting interns for their good work. And in this exchange students can get to know more about their work and MESH can get fresh ideas from a younger generation. Such is my view and wishes towards MESH, as an undergraduate student.
Allison Masih has prepared this blog post as part of his internship in MESH. He is reading physics at St Stephen's College, Delhi University and has offered to write a few more blog posts bringing a student's perspective of our work.
We love to have interns, if you would like to intern in MESH please contact us at contact@mesh.org.in
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