When you buy clothes, or a bag or cards from Jacobs Well.biz, your money is going to a good cause and you’ll be getting a beautifully made and often unique item. 
The project known as Jacobs Well is based in India and provides work for young people who would otherwise be caught in the poverty trap. Jacobs Well products are made by ‘graduates’ of an Oasis project who are usually, though not exclusively, young people from poor backgrounds, with no employment prospects, living in slum conditions on the streets of urban cities. The project, which has been going since 1994, offers excellent training and fair trade employment in their production units. The young people are given life skills and basic literacy training to better equip them to return to their communities while others stay on to pass on what they have learnt. Jacobs Well not only produces its own range but also acts as an efficient and professional production facility for designers and a wide range of different companies. This ‘Turnkey’service includes customising the existing range, sampling of new designs and the local sourcing of materials and textiles. ‘Our hope,’ they say, ‘is that these young people will be transformed, equipped and empowered not only to carve out new and positive futures for themselves, but also to impact the communities that they return to.’ The complete range can be viewed online at www.jacobswell.biz. Rekha’s story is an example of the opportunity the project offers. My name is Rekha and I am 25 years old. My father was from Chennai, so although my brother, sister and I were all born in Bangalore, our first language is Tamil. I also speak Kanada, English and Hindi. Our family is from the Roman Catholic Tradition. Sadly, my mother passed away seven years ago, and my father died only one year ago. Nowadays my brother, sister and I must support each other financially and emotionally. The financial situation is very difficult for us, thus I have a large loan, which I am struggling to repay. I was married in September 2005. However, after only 6 months of marriage my husband began to drink heavily and in turn he stopped working. I decided to leave him and return to live with my siblings. Some people say that I should have stayed with my husband regardless of the situation, but I know I have made the right decision. I left school after completing only 8th Standard and have since been working in the tailoring industry. Initially I worked for my Aunty, but when she left town I was introduced to Jacobs Well. I have been working here for 7 years now. I thoroughly enjoy the stitching, packing and embroidery aspects of my job and have been told that I am a very quiet and efficient worker. Accessories, children’s clothing, and cards made by young people who have experienced exclusion and exploitation. They enjoy good working conditions and fair wages in accordance with the ethical trading initiative (ETI) code of conduct.
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