A couple of weeks ago, the same day that I spoke to a group of Fellows at RSA House about the Secret Pillow Project, 700 pillows successfully passed through UK customs from South India - an incredible milestone for the project and all the women involved.
My name is Fritha Vincent and I am the founder and CEO of Secret Pillow Project. Through making and selling Secret Pillows, my project empowers women worldwide to earn money to support themselves and their children.
So what exactly is a Secret Pillow? Well, in essence it's a snuggly blanket that folds up into a charming pillow which orginates from the world of quilting. I always loved them as a child and continued making them for friends as wedding presents into adulthood.
During a trip to India, I experienced the power of women working in groups to realise their business potential, and that was when I had the idea to use Secret Pillows in a global capacity.
I now run empowerment workshops that offer women the opportunity to become Secret Pillow producers and sell their pillows on the international market for a fair trade and with minimal risk. The RSA Catalyst Fund and Crowdfunding Support programme has supported my project from the beginning, giving me a robust and critical support structure, funds and boosts of confidence every time I needed it.
The framework of my successful Kickstarter Campaign that raised just under £17,000 came from my work with the RSA team and I can’t thank them enough.Without the support of the RSA, I doubt I would ever had got the orders for these Secret Pillows in the first place and I could not have helped 200 women from South India, who all face severe challenges in realising their personal power - I would urge any Fellow to seek support from RSA for their project.
I now feel extremely lucky to have the happy task of sending out all the 700 Secret Pillows sold to our incredible, patient and dedicated customers, some of whom are Fellows too.
Above is a picture of me and my colleague Aimee Faunt - it was taken at the celebratory moment when the Secret Pillows were delivered. If you would like to order your Sample Secret Pillow or find out about the story behind the project, please visit our website below:
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Hello, Secret pillow Project, I am Tushar from India, I am too much happy and amazed that you are doing such a pleasant work for South Indian Women. I really appreciate your work. I am founder of initiative MotherQuilts.
MotherQuilts is an Social Initiative Started in Pune, Maharashtra, India. To create sustainable economic opportunities for Women groups belong to socially backward classes like scheduled casts and scheduled tribes, by matching their availability, abilities, and interests.MotherQuilts Provide training for Godhadi Quilt stitching and Machine stitching to talented and motivated women groups based in small villages across Maharashtra. MotherQuilts encourage economic independence, freedom of work and ensure Better livelihood through ‘Godhadi Quilt’ making. We Support to overcome stigma of illiteracy and family obligation to these women by providing work to their doorstep.
Godhadi is a traditional Hand stitched and patchwork Quilt from Maharashtra and Goa, India. These quilts are traditionally made by Grandmas by recycling old saris and cloths, these quilts illustrate love between Grandmother and grandsons.
Please go through https://www.facebook.com/motherquilts