On my first visit to Kerala, in 2001, I encountered a land of enchanting beauty. Bordered on the west by golden beaches and on the east by the ruggedly precipitous Ghats, the state is characterised by the ever-present palm, whose leaves form a dense canopy across much of this fertile land of over 30 million people.

I visited a number of workshops where artisans, predominantly women, were involved in the manufacture of artifacts. I was amazed by the quality and variety of handicrafts produced there. Many of the items are made by a few individuals in deeply rural locations. The skills are passed on from generation to generation. Conversely, some of the items are manufactured in charitable institutions, again mostly by womenfolk, who are paid wages on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many of the artisans and institutions do not have adequate channels or venues for marketing their products.

I felt it would be good to find ways to help these skilled but impoverished people maintain and better their living, and had a feeling that the products would gain a good reception with consumers in the UK. In buying directly from the producers, a fair price is guaranteed, along with building a wider consumer base. Our efforts have helped ensure round-the-year orders, providing continuous work. Although on a small scale, we are helping to improve the general economic standard of many people.

Back home in England, I first introduced a sample of handicrafts to a circle of friends and relatives. Subsequently, bulk orders were received from our resident buyer in Cochin and a permanent outlet was established along with occasional stalls at craft fairs and markets. This website was built with the aim of being a bridge - for facilitating interaction between producer and consumer.

While it is difficult for us in the UK to do much about the 'big picture', an impact can be made at the local level. However small, it is very worthwhile and does make a real difference to the livelihood of people in Kerala. THANK YOU