Fighting Modern Day Slavery

Like most things these days, 'slavery' has had a rebrand, & today it's known as 'human trafficking'. But make no mistake, it's still slavery in all its ugliness. The name may have changed, but the effects are still just as devastating, & the need to stand up against it just as imperative. Unlike the Civil War, you don't need to bear arms to fight the good fight.

At Urbano Village, we love The Loyal Workshop for many reasons: their heart, passion & dedication to making the world a better place for women fighting for their freedom. They tick so many boxes for us, & it's our pleasure to get along side them to support them in the valuable work they do in offering alternative employment to women caught in the sex trade in Kolkata, India.

For every Advocate Wristband purchased through Urbano Village we will pass 100% of the profits onto The Loyal Workshop, allowing them to do more of their good work.

Every quality product created by The Loyalty Workshop is hand stitched by a brave woman fighting for her freedom. Each artisan comes from a background of poverty, with her own story of trauma & oppression: sold, stolen, trafficked & forced against her will into the sex trade. Thanks to alternative employment provided by The Loyal Workshop each of these 22 women are no longer trapped in a form of modern day slavery, but are free.

The dream started back in 2002 when New Zealanders Paul & Sarah Beisly made their first trip to Kolkata. In 2010 they moved their little family to Bangladesh for the year to learn the local language of Bangla & relocated to Kolkata the following year ... & The Loyal Workshop was on its way.

What I love about The Loyal Workshop & the work they do with these women, is that they take a holistic approach. Providing both initial & ongoing medical support & insurance for each woman, & holistic exit support from the complex journey of becoming free from slavery. Exit support includes counselling, legal advice, debt reconsolidating, budgeting, addiction support, & much more. A fair living wage is paid to each artisan with a retirement savings scheme on it's way. Education in English, Maths & Bangla is provided to each artisan for six months & staff work with each artisan to ensure her children are attending school. And here's the kicker, all profits are reinvested back into the business & community to further the good work.

Stand with The Loyal Workshop & Urbano Village, to show these women the loyal support they deserve. Buy a bracelet, wallet, purse or a satchel, & become an advocate for the woman who made your satchel. Her name is on the pocket inside your satchel.

Be the change you want to see in the world ... one wristband, satchel or wallet at a time!