Freeset.

I started my first research project today. I combed through the entire website of Freeset. Oh. My. Word. What they are doing is amazing! They are seriously changing some lives. It's so awesome.

Freeset is located in Sonagacchi, which is located in the biggest sex district in Kolkata, India. The owners, Kerry and Annie Hilton are originally from New Zealand. They moved to Kolkata in 1999. They took their four children with them. To move an entire family into such a poor area takes immense courage. To make a difference in a community, one needs to live among them. You can't really make a difference if you're living outside of the situation and driving in. It just doesn't work that way. And this couple got that. They moved their family right in to the middle of the largest red light district. Their neighbors were women forced into prostitution.

Kerry and Annie Hilton knew that a way to save these women from being exploited was to give them a way to get a handle on their life. So they experimented with different things and settled on a business that makes jute bags. Jute is a rain-fed crop that grows in India. The plant is harvested and the fibers are used to make the bags. The women are taken off the line and given a job. They are taught how to make the bags. They are taught how to sew, cut, etc. These women are then paid double the going rate for an equivalent job. Each women is hired on full time so they have access to the health care they deserve. They can then save money they earned and stay off the streets. They are also taught basic reading, writing, and counting.

This is their factory.

This is the t-shirt production line.

This is one of the women sewing their popular sari Hope bag.

This business not only helps stimulate the local economy by getting the women money (one woman was able to pay for her own wedding!), but it saves lives! A business like this should be a model for everyone. Their story is so inspiring. The Hilton family is truly an example of serving others. They left their home in New Zealand to live amongst the poor to help them better their lives. There are not many people in this world that are that selfless or courageous. Something like this is what I would love to do. It seems so simple, but it makes such a HUGE difference.

Here's a couple links to check out  - Their website! - Their Facebook page!

Please check them out. They are truly inspirational. Especially check out the video. Yes, it's six minutes long. But you can spare a few minutes. Find out the stories of real women; find out how Freeset has helped save them, helped change their lives, and help give them the dignity they deserve.

I know the next time I'm looking for a bag, I'm going to buy from them. Their business is for freedom. Let's follow their example.