Devadasis once enjoyed a high social status. The term originally referred to girls who were "married" and dedicated to a deity (deva). The girls were expected to spend their lives taking care of the temple, performing religious rituals and serving temple priests. In recent years, their position has degenerated and become associated with prostitution causing their social standing and regard within their communities to deteriorate. Many now live in poverty and misery. |
In many ways, Hanumanthamma's life mirrors her mother's. Her mother was also a devadasi and Hanumanthamma never knew her father.
Yet the difference is that this time, Hanumanthamma, with your support and help from Traidcraft, has become an accepted part of her local community and is working
to break the cycle of poverty through trade.
Her days as living as the outsider are over, and her children are no longer teased because their mother is a devadasi.
Being welcomed within the wider community has
changed Hanumanthamma's life irrevocably – for the better. Now with the support of the Raichur Cotton Project, she can stabilise her income all the year round:
"Now the Cotton Project has not only helped me to
set up my own compost unit, thereby developing my enterprise, they have also guided me technically in maintaining the quality of my compost and finding new markets for them."
At Traidcraft, it is very much a team effort and we believe that trade, not aid, can provide a long-term sustainable solution to poverty for thousands of people just like Hanumanthamma.
The difference is you: please, if you can, give today. We promise it will make a difference.
Thank you for your support.
