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Praise & Giveaway: Sari Bari Blankets and Bags

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Brittainy Barnes said…


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Sitting in the nursing mother’s room at church one day, a woman wheeled in her stroller and draped across her very tiny newborn was the most beautiful baby blanket I had ever seen.  It was a light blue and white with a random patch work design. The fabric had a unique texture that made me just want to reach out and touch it.  After we were both done nursing and changing diapers I just had to inquire about this beautiful blanket and try to find out where I could have one of my own. 

The mother began to tell me the story of Sari Bari, its uniquely upcycled blankets and bags, but more importantly the stories of the women that are literally saved from the sex trade industry through the purchase of the Sari Bari products.

Photo Courtesy of Sari Bari

When I got home that day, I immediately went on the Internet to find more information about the organization.  I was completely enthralled with the outreach that Sari Bari has created to protect and save women who are are enslaved with in the India sex trade industry.

On their website, they describe Sari Bari as a “new life in the making.” The mission of the organization is:

Sari Bari, a business initiative, seeks the freedom and restoration of Kolkata’s red-light areas through dignity-giving employment opportunities for women affected by the sex trade.

The Sari Bari blankets and bags are hand made from vintage saris found all over India. “Each blanket is completely unique and bears the name of a woman who’s freedom you are now a part of.” An amazing and different type of upcycling in this eco friendly world.

Photo Courtesy of Sari Bari

Since the blankets and bags are all handmade and then sent from India the selection is limited and varies. The products often sell out quickly. If you are interested in purchasing any of their products you will want to make sure to sign up for their emails and check the website regularly for shipment notifications. 

Lastly, Sari Bari is in the process of building a prevention unit in hopes to reach young women before they become involved in the sex trade.  You can read more about the Prevention Unit and their needs by here.
Now, for my praises:

The White Baby Blanket
The white baby blanket is luxurious. It is a nice, thick but light weight blanket and is the perfect size. It is great for swaddling your precious little ones and I could totally see this blanket becoming one of their prized possessions.

The Orange Blanket
This throw is the perfect size for your couch or lazy chair.  It is long enough to tuck your toes under and keep cozy while watching TV or snuggling with your loved one. it is the perfect weight to keep you warm but not too hot. The pattern I chose is beautiful and I love the intricate details of the blanket. We use this blanket all over the house.

The Large Nomita Tote
This bag is huge! It was actually much bigger than I had anticipated when I purchased it. So it took me a while to figure out what else I can do with it. We mostly use it to pack up the kids car stuff for short trips out of town.  I will say that it held 18 of my BG diapers when I was short a laundry tote on vacation. Overall it is a very large, versatile and sturdy bag. I haven’t done it yet, but it would also make a good clothing store shopping tote.

If you would like to support this wonderful cause you can purchase any of their blankets or bags by going to their website at http://www.saribari.com/. OR….

The GOOD NEWS! The wonderful women behind the Sari Bari organization have agreed to give away one of their brand new Bucket Totes.  This is a new style bag that just came out with the last shipment in July.

Here is their description of the Bucket Bag:

Features a hand-quilted channel stitching, four layers of recycled sari material, quilting thread is 100% polyester, heavy-duty canvas corded handle, heavy canvas details, outside pocket. Snap closure. Lined with 100% cotton material with inside patch pocket. These bags measure 16″ wide and 12″ deep.

Mandatory Entry:
Visit the Sari Bari website and come back and tell me something you have learned about their organization and how your purchase goes to support these women. Please be detailed in your answer. This entry must be done before any of the others are counted.

To enter the contest, just post a comment in the comments section below! Make sure you do a separate comment for EACH entry. Make sure you include your email or that it is visible in your profile.  I want you to have as many chances to win as you can. Remember you must do the MANDATORY ENTRY FIRST! Then the extras.  Email me with questions!
 Extra Entries [all are 1 entry unless otherwise noted]:


1) Visit the Sari Bari website and tell me one other item that you would like to purchase.


2) Sign up for the Sari Bari email newsletter.


3) Follow Sari Bari on Twitter.


4) Follow me on Google Friends.


5) Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. Link back here to your comment. (1x per day). Must include @Sari_Bari_India & @sunshinepraises #giveaway #win in the tweet.


6) Subscribe to my email.


7) Make a donation in any amount over $10.00 to the Prevention Unit. (5 entries)


8) Blog about this contest and link back to this contest and Sari Bari.  Make sure to leave a direct link in your comment. (2 entries)


*Facebook terms and conditions no longer allows for contest entries to include “liking” on FB however, both Sari Bari and myself would love to have you on join us on Facebook for more giveaways and exciting announcements.*




Giveaway ends on August 31, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Must be 18 years of age to enter. No purchase necessary. Open to US Only. I can not be held liable for lost mail or prizes not received from the sponsor. However if you have a problem, please email me and I will do my best to resolve it.


*I was not financially compensated for this post. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience with Sari Bari and their products.*

Comments

  1. P says

    Reading about the graduation ceremony on the website left me in tears. It is so amazing that a company can help women get out of such tragic circumstances and help not only them but their children have a better life.

  4. Angie says

    The website is amazing! As a professional counselor I was particularly touched by the Training section. The attention to the needs of the women, not just in technical skills but also in overall well being, was very impressive. So many outreach programs focus so hard on materials and occupational skills that the basic physical and mental health needs of those benefiting from the program are lost. They are doing so much with what they have available to them, I hope the idea spreads.

  5. Angie says

    I love all the items on their site! I would definitely consider going back for Minu Sling bag. It looks great and is within my very small affordable price range if I cut a few financial corners this month and next.

  6. Brittainy Barnes says

    I’ve been to Korea and seen their Red Light district, and witnessed first hand the destruction that the Sex Trade can do to a woman. It’s not only degrading, but it’s unhealthy and flat-out wrong. I think it is amazing that these woman are given a second chance at life, and all with such a simple plan- sewing blankets to get out of the trade.

  13. Glenda says

    I learned that the Sari blankets are 5 layers thick and hand quilted, each on unique to the woman making it. Thank you for this giveaway opportunity and the link to this wonderful organization!

  15. Crystal H. says

    I learned that Sari Bari hopes to be a home to the Women who have been exploited in sex trade and that each product made from Indian Sari has a Woman’s name on it that now has a chance for freedom and a new life Thanks to Sari Bari. That is amazing! It makes their items seem so much more special.

  22. Carrie says

    I learned about the name, Sari Bari, representing the organization’s desire to be a safe home for the women (sari representing the womanly outfit and bari representing home). And I learned that you can sponsor a woman. Lovely organization, thank you for letting us know about it!

    growingababyreviews at hotmail dot com

  26. Charity says

    I like that the company saves money from each blanket woman makes and puts it into a fund for her. Eventually she will have enough to buy her own land. I also like that they will help pay schooling cost for the woman’s children ( after one yr of employment )

    [email protected]

  32. Stephanie-jean Weber says

    I learned that Kolkata’s red-light districts are home to approximately 20,000 female commercial sex workers plus their families. By donating $1.50 you can provide 1 -3 bricks which are used to maintain tension on the blankets.

    My thoughts and prayers are with the many women and children who are effected by sex trading.

    lifesemicrunchy@gmail dot com

  39. Donnetta says

    I learned that they believe in the empowerment of women and their families through education and a positive, well-paid employment experience. All women at Sari Bari go through a six-month training period that includes literacy, math, mental-health education, play, sewing and budgeting.

    [email protected]

  44. Stephanie says

    I learned from the Sari Bari website how the company pays off the incredibly high interest money lending loans that their employees are unable to pay once the woman finishes training. They are then able to work out an interest free payment schedule that the woman is actually able to afford.

    Beautiful.

    stephanieniicole at gmail dot com

  50. Libby says

    I learned that Sari Bari just opened a new training/prevention unit on the border of Banglesdesh and India. What amazing work they are doing, giving these women purpose, dignity and ownership. Thanks for telling us about it.

    libby dot bloom dot hunt at gmail dot com

  53. Diaper Dad says

    They provide an alternate form of employment for prostitutes and victims of human trafficking. I think that the items they sell are a testament to their success and any support will help them to go further in restoring dignity to these victims and help make them “whole” again.

    diaperdadjames at gmail dot com

  59. Jodi Faye says

    What an amazing organization! I learned that Sari Bari seeks to restore and bring freedom to the women affected by the sex trade of Kolkata’s red-light areas through dignity-giving employment opportunities.
    [email protected]

  62. earthlymama says

    i learned that by making these items and by the people purchasing them, it gives them not only a new way of life, but a freedom they’ve never experienced before. what a great organization!
    writeroxie at gmail

  72. Sao Truc says

    of course like your website but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the truth then again I will surely come back again.