“Our dream was to create the best possible environment for Fair Trade work,” said Swapna Director at EMA. As the Shared Earth team arrived at the base of EMA this statement couldn’t appear to have become truer as they were greeted with home grown coconuts cut open to offer a refreshing welcome drink.

Established in 1977, EMA produce and supply leather, candles, musical instruments, toys, games and textiles world-wide. Many workers that have no home of their own live onsite in their large dormitory style accommodation that looks out across EMA’s fish ponds and banana groves.

The extensive candle workshop is run entirely by 22 handicapped individuals who are all deaf, while some are deaf and dumb. They have established an elaborate lighting system to communicate through the heating room and the production room which instructs members of the candle group to collect fresh wax ready for production.

Soumen, the deaf manager of the candle workshop, has been sponsored to go to the Netherlands later this year to learn new techniques from an experienced candle maker. EMA are keen to work with other countries in this way to further the skills of their workforce and improve their products.

“The majority of deaf individuals usually end up as maids to their family in return for food and shelter. They are seen as a burden to the family and so usually work for their keep,” Swapna explained. “Here they are able to earn money, learn skills and socialise with others,” she continued.

32 year old Jayasree has been working for EMA since 2002. She met her husband, who is also deaf, on site at EMA. Soon after meeting they married and they now live happily together on site. “EMA has changed my life,” she signed with a smile. “I never thought I would get married. Also the food and accommodation is great”.

There is a huge dining room where everyone is invited to eat together. The meals consist of fresh fish from their ponds, vegetables and fruit grown on site in organic conditions. Other produce is sourced locally. “We want to become totally self sufficient,” explains Nitu who looks after EMA’s marketing.

The Shared Earth team visited EMA on one of the last days in Kolkatta and had already seen many workshops and smaller operations making wonderful progress. EMA have established a tranquil patch of paradise which many less fortunate members of Indian society have benefited from.

This visit gave a true sense of what Fair Trade was capable of achieving, not just in one small place but throughout India and indeed in many other countries worldwide.

For further information please contact Shared Earth.

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