The idea of miHi was born in 2009 and evolved and developed through a series of chai-fuelled conversations, by a handful of people living and working in a small community, called New Generation, in South Delhi.
Chai soon turned into hair clips and miHi was birthed!
New Generation is a charitable trust that works with the poor and the marginalised in Delhi.
Within our local community in South Delhi, we work with women from Delhi's largest red light district, boys with Aids and HIV, women from abusive situations, women and children in the slums as well as drug addicts seeking to walk in freedom from their addiction.
So how do hair clips and paintings fit into the story...?
miHi (made in His image) is an online business selling beautiful things made within the community as well as other products sourced from within India.
Why buy from miHi?
- miHi provides a sustainable income for the New Generation Trust projects. In practical terms that means when a customer is buying from our store they are partnering with our vision to help women out of the sex trade, look after boys with HIV and aids, help educate women and children in the slums by providing resources to enable the work to continue.
- miHi provides work opportunities and training for marginalised people in the community. At present some of the products are made by the marginalised within the community, such as the beautiful 'atulya roses'. The atulya roses are made by women in both the Atulya Home (a home for women from abusive situations) and the Bengali Basti (a nearby slum). These pretty roses made from colourful ribbon provide a livelihood for these women within a safe and loving working environment. Our long term goal is to have all the miHi products made in a production unit within the community which will offer a place of training and opportunity for those that are marginalised within the community.
- miHi provides consumers with the choice to shop ethically. Take an average person's wardrobe and you will find a high percentage of their clothes will have been made in Asia in countries such as, India, China and Thailand. Unfortunately the consumer is often left in the dark about under what condition and by whom their clothes are made. Sweatshops are still prevalent despite public awareness and media attention around the issue. Men, women and young children are often trafficked, and sold to work as slaves in sweatshops. According to 'A Global alliance against forced labour, International Labour Organisation' - At least 12.3 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. Of these 2.4 million are as a result of human trafficking. Labourers often work excessively long hours in unsafe and crammed environments, where they are paid pennies for their hard work and they are physically beaten and abused if their work is not up to standard or they try to escape.
- miHi believes that many consumers want to make good ethical choices yet we know how hard it is with the high street saturated with deals and endless choice for customers. miHi provides a service for our customers who want to shop ethically and not compromise on quality and price. miHi is about people not profit!
