Made By Survivors trains survivors of human trafficking to make artisan silver and gold jewelry. This skill provides income, independence, increased social status, & confidence to dream & hope. Survivors of sexual slavery go from having the most shameful job in society to having one that is valued & admired. Made By Survivors has 3 jewelry centers in Kolkata & Mumbai & Jalpaiguri, India and one in Nepal. $400 provides 6 months of paid training, setting the survivor on a path of freedom.
Poverty is one of the main reasons a girl is trafficked or sold into slavery. Survivors of human trafficking want and need jobs that will enable them to make financial decisions that protect their freedom and give them respect from men & the community.
Made By Survivors works with girls rescued from sex trafficking, teaching them jewelry making/goldsmithing while living at the aftercare shelters. The jewelry is purchased and sold through the website Madebysurvivors.com. Goldsmithing pays a fair wage in India and is a career that brings increased social status to these girls who were once sex slaves. Made By Survivors commits to purchase the survivors jewelry whether she is at the shelter or returns to independent living.
MBS Jewelry centers have been extremely successful in not only providing job skills and a sustainable income, but also in raising the status of women. Jewelry fabrication has traditionally been a male dominated career in India. The survivors in our programs are breaking through barriers of gender roles, income potential, and leadership. With these skills and a financial independence survivors are able to move forward in their lives to achieve their personal dreams.
