Blue Sheep Crafts: Producers: Hands of Hope

Hands of Hope creates uniquely designed products to support the livelihood of women with disabilities in China.  At Hands of Hope, the women who stitch these fabric creations are transformed through the provision of housing, technical training and steady income.  You can join them in changing lives by purchasing their products.
Hands of Hope started as a small sewing school where women affected by leprosy could learn marketable skills, enabling them to care for their families.  The project began in the mid-1990s when founder Ruth Winslow travelled throughout China with a medical team to provide treatment for people living in leprosy rehabilitation villages.  During these visits, Ruth heard stories from numerous women who faced discrimination because of this disease.  Many of them were illiterate with very few skills, and left without any means to provide for themselves or their children,
Heartbroken by this reality, Ruth started a sewing school as a place where these women could gain self-esteem and learn new skills.  Through this project more than 100 women were taught to sew and started home businesses or found work in nearby factories.  Eventually, this project developed into the micro-enterprise known as Hands of Hope.
Today, the women with whom Hands of Hope work endure a variety of disabilities including scoliosis, polio and severe burn injuries.
Browse a selection of Hands of Hope products below.  Remember that purchases help disadvantaged artisans to support themselves, and profits go to help those in need!