Dalit Candles – In the hands of the Potter
Dalit Candles - In the hands of the Potter
Around 150 years ago, when Mumbai was largely swamp land, migrant potters from Gujarat arrived and have been there ever since. Some 300 families now live in the Dharavi slum, one of Asia’s largest and believed to be the most densely populated place on earth with 1 million people living within a square mile.
They are Dalits, formerly known as untouchables and considered outside India’s caste system. Only Dalits do this kind of work as it is considered unclean because they handle dirt from the earth. But we see things differently: As if by magic, from a lump of mud, in the hands of a skilled potter a small work of art appears that will go onto grace perhaps the table or window sill of elegant homes in England and abroad.
All our Dalit candles are then hand poured by Dalit ladies in our own, small production unit, providing full-time employment– Before being packed and shipped to England to be sent all around the world for people to enjoy.
It’s a great story but one that doesn’t end there.
The work of Dalit Goods Co has helped provide a loving home for children like Rahul (red and grey striped t-shirt below) who we have named one of our candles after. He was only 4 when his father was killed in a railway accident. With his mother unable to support him he was adopted into our boys home in Mumbai and has lived there ever since. Now 16 Rahul is achieving good results in his studies.
Rohan (far left, big smile) lost his father at 6 months old due to an accident, his mother was unable to take care of him due to poor health. We took Rohan into our children’s home to be cared for, he is now 24 and works as a nurse in the local hospital.
At our core, we are committed to fostering positive change and social impact.
By supporting Dalit Goods, you are not only embracing ethical consumption but also championing the rights and well-being of the Dalit people.
To find out more about the work of Life Association visit www.lifeassociation.org.uk
