Hum Log | People & Stories of Chhoti Si Asha
We strongly believe that the stories of our local artisans are so powerful that they deserve to be heard and presented to the world. This very thought encouraged us to start a new segment to our everyday updates- “Hum Log” at CSA. “Hum Log” is an initiative to showcase the tales of our local artisans & people of Chhoti Si Asha.
Here, we share the empowering stories of these artisans who irrespective of their backgrounds, experience and cities-came out of the closet and started to work in the craft community. This segment not only features our artisans but all of the team members working at Chhoti Si Asha.
From artisan welfare, designing, marketing, various skilled artisans to our founders! Hum Log features stories of our people. People who make Chhoti Si Asha possible.
तो आइए, आप भी सुनिए हमारी कहानी…
Liza | Founder, Chhoti Si Asha
Liza has been an IT professional in her first avatar – working both in India and Silicon Valley with Fortune 500 companies including Johnson & Johnson and Siebel Systems. She and her husband quit their corporate jobs in 2005 and relocated from California to India to do things “closer to their heart”. Chhoti Si Asha was incepted in 2006 and entitized in 2009 as a non-profit with the objective to build sustainable livelihoods for underprivileged women living in slum communities of Chandigarh.
Jatinder | Co-Founder, Chhoti Si Asha
Little did I know that a short part-time engagement with Chhoti si Asha would turn into a decade-long association. My journey has been very rewarding and rich wherein I learned great lessons of life. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such beautiful hearts. The immense love and support I have received have changed me in ways that are difficult to describe. I look forward to the everyday newness of the workspace and the hustle and bustle which fills energy in your life.
Swaran Didi | Artisan
Swaran didi, with a smiling face she always keeps her team members and people around her joyful. She has the ability to empower other ladies who come to work at Chhoti Si Asha. She came all her way from Rajpura to settle here in Chandigarh when she started working with us. She picked up the craft of bag-making quickly. She is an extremely fast learner and is quite motivated. She also started a small team in her village Mohe. The members of the village make daris and do phulkari work.
Jaswinder Aunty | Artisan
She might be the oldest here at Chhoti Si Asha but surely has the youngest heart. Her incredible sense of design, technicalities & curiosity is something which makes our products standout. Not only is she educated but is also vocal about her views on women empowerment.
Fellow artists fondly call her "Dimag wali aunty".
Manju Didi | Artisan
Her big red bindi, a wrist full of colorful bangles, magical & unapologetic smile-a face & laugh you'll surely never miss. She is one of the oldest members of our CSA family and is known for her outspoken, vibrant & magnetic personality. Her sheer presence can light up the energy of the room. She is one brave woman and has a beautiful voice. Did we tell you she loves to sing folk songs?