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Comfortably Domestic

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Feelin’ a Little Gifty

by 20 Comments

The other day I mentioned that I was able to hear a presentation by Kerry Hilton, the founder of Freeset. I am not much of a soap-boxy kind of gal here on Comfortably Domestic, but this is one organization that I just had to talk about.

——————————-Here are a few snippets of the Freeset philosophy, taken from their website:

In Business For Freedom:

Freeset exists specifically to provide freedom for women from the sex trade, women who were forced into prostitution by trafficking or poverty. These women didn’t choose their profession — it was chosen for them.

Now, they’re being offered a real choice. When they choose to work at Freeset, they can start new lives, regain dignity in their communities, and begin a journey towards healing and wholeness.

Freeset uses an “upside down” model that turns the normal principles of running a business on their head. Businesses generally choose the best people for a job and pay them the lowest possible wages. Here, women are employed on the basis of their need for freedom, rather than their qualifications – many have had little or no schooling. They are trained and then paid well above the going market rate. The transformation in women’s lives is clearly apparent, simply because they’ve been given a chance.

The women actively engage in running the business. They have their own committee which liaises with management to ensure their voices are heard. This committee has the final say over many internal decisions and issues relating to employees.

The Transformation:

Although a business, Freeset is also a community. The women are often dealing with health problems (including HIV/AIDS), and psychological effects from abuse and exclusion from society. This makes for a challenging workplace and much effort is put into creating a compassionate environment where the women are supported and their needs met.

However, Freeset isn’t just about the transformation of individual lives; it’s also about transformation of the wider community. The Freeset women leave the sex trade but continue to live in their old rooms and neighborhood as agents of change. The dream is that some day the largest, most infamous sex district in Kolkata will be transformed into a safe community that respects the dignity of women and offers new opportunities to their children.

All profits from Freeset in Kolkata benefit the women (salary, health insurance and retirement plan) and are used to grow —the business. This means more women can be employed and experience freedom.——————————–

I also had the opportunity to handle the bags made by the women of Freeset. These bags are where durability-meets-fashion-meets-function. They are so stinkin’ cute!

So maybe because I was inspired by the work that Kerry and his friends do, or because Hubby is travelling all week, or possibly because the Baby plucked my camera battery out of the charger and hid it in Parts Unknown (to me,) I’m going to give away a Freeset bag to one of my sweet Friends that read my bloggy ramblings.

That’s you! You’re the Friends! (International Friends–you are included, too.)


Cluster - Andrea Moore bag

Cluster bag – Andrea Moore print

Dimensions (cm): 35(w) x 30(h) x 15(d)
Features: Jute shoulder strap with black cotton lining, internal cell phone pocket and purse, 1-color Andrea Moore print
Fastener: Magnetic closure
Color: (b) Parchment/Black (the one on the left in the photo)
 

I’m not going to lie–it’s adorable. So if you are interested in winning the bag, leave a comment telling me so. If you are feeling a little chatty, then tell me what you would do with it.
Stylish grocery bag? New purse? Tote for all your must haves? Do tell! Curious minds want to know!
And if you know someone that might be interested in winning this cool bag, send ’em on over.
Comment entries will be accepted on this post, or any post thereafter, beginning January 11, 2011 at 12:00 Noon EST, and going until 12:00 Noon EST on Saturday January 15, 2011. The winner will be drawn at random by whichever of my sons gets there first. The winner will be announced the following day.
Good luck!
P.S. Neither Kerry Hilton or the folks are Freeset have any idea who I am. I just like their bags and I want to share.

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Love it. Thanks for informing us about this. I had no idea something like the purpose of these bags existed. You're a good person, you know that, Kirsten? :) Count me in for the drawing... and thanks for even doing something like this. How fun!
    Reply

  2. How fun Kirsten! Thanks for sharing the inspiring story (and your own great recipes), and by all means, count me in! :-)
    Reply

  4. I have to jump on board for this one. I read through their website and I love it. It breaks my heart to hear of what women over there are going through - many married women have it just as bad, being treated worse than animals by their husbands and in-laws. Thank you for introducing us to this great organization!
    Reply

  5. Awesome giveaway. I would probably use the bag for trips to the farmer's market. Nothing like carrying a stylish bag to make a statement on a Sunday morning :)
    Reply

  6. this post made me so happy. I think it sounds like a wonderful organization, doing good work for otherwise neglected people. Thanks so much for sharing this, I'll go and have a look at the website.
    Reply

  7. I love the science behind your selection method ;) Seriously though, Freeset sounds like an absolutely incredible organization - thank you for sharing them with us! If I won that little satchel, I'd probably rock it every time I rolled over to Trader Joe's. Since that is one of my favorite parts of the week, that, by default would also become a favorite part. Fact.
    Reply

  10. Kir- As always, your blog gives me a regular glimpse into how great my long distance pal is doing in the great North :) So many ideas and so much fun! These bags regardless of how cute they are serve to empower women & improve communities...and what is more important than that?! Love it! I wanted to add that I went to their website and they sell a variety of bags and clothing...and can do custom designs...good to mention to all those business owners reading this blog! Love you and thanks for sharing yourself...I miss you! E
    Reply

  13. Hello Mrs. Kirsten!! I love your blogs, they are inspiring and informative. I think the bags are super cute, and the story that goes with them tragic and moving. I would love to win one of the bags!! Thanks for taking the time to write for all of us that can't!! xoxo
    Reply

  15. Kirsten, Sure I'd love to win one of these bags! They really look cute! I'd probably use it for when I go to the library and take out more books than I'm able to carry! Ha! Joyce
    Reply

  17. Oh Kirsten, those bags are freakin' cute!! And teh story and purpose behind them is absolutely uplifting and wonderful. I'd love to be entered! (PS - it'll totally be for me, probably hauling Huck's doggie water bottle, leash and toys to and from the dogpark haha cause that's the kind of dog-mom I am!)
    Reply

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