A few months ago we celebrated a freedom birthday (which is a regular occurrence). But this particular freedom birthday turned out to be a very bizarre celebration. There were lots of other things going on that particular day. There was a work man who’d come and was installing a new sewing machine (and making lots of noise while doing it). And then right before the celebration Beth had to run an errand to the police station. As Beth and one of the Sari Bari women were walking down the street, they ran into a woman who was an acquaintance . . . and she is also deaf. She ended up coming back with them to Sari Bari. She jumped right in, animatedly telling her story to anyone who would “listen” even though our knowledge of Bengali sign language is limited at best! During the freedom birthday, we listened to many stories of freedom. Each woman saying what she’s learned or gained, or how her life is different since coming to Sari Bari. We cut cake and ate snacks. We celebrated. There was banging in the background as the workman kept on working, and the chaos of a woman we didn’t know, and couldn’t communicate with very well. (an then on her way out she tried to take a pair of shoes with her!) There was a posture of embrace and openness and welcome. There’s always room for one more at the celebration.

Shortly after that we went to a wedding. The daughter of one of the Sari Bari women was getting married and we were all invited. It was a great night. A great party. To walk in and see all the Sari Bari women dressed to the nines. We hung out with our friends. We laughed, we ate, we celebrated. And then all of a sudden we were sitting around the table eating. And one of our friend’s husbands was at the table with us. In some ways I know a bit too much about him to be happy to be sharing a meal with him, but in other deep, true ways it was beautiful to share a meal and celebration with him. It was amazing to sit around the table and joke and laugh, and to see everyone interacting with one another laughing, having fun, and celebrating.

And then to top off the evening, we noticed other guests. We were a gathering of outcasts. There were men and women who we would consider to be oppressors, “the bad guys,” and there were cross-dressers (who, in many ways are considered outcasts even among outcasts), and some of the cross-dressers had 5 o’clock shadows (one had a moustache). Sex workers and former sex workers. And foreigners who think we fit in much better than we usually do. We were a motley crew. Folks coming from all different stages and seasons- of life. But there we were together. Celebrating. Each welcomed into the celebration – regardless of where we came from, or what baggage we brought with us. It points to something deeper and truer – that there is always room at the table. There is always room for one more at the celebration, and if I am not fully engaged in the celebration, it is because of the state of my own heart, not any external circumstances.

There is always room at the table. There is always room for one more.

Call for Quilters
Sari Bari would like to invite the partnership of experienced quilters and quilting circles. In the fall of 2012 we will hold a Quilt Raffle/ Auction to raise funds for Sari Bari. Sari Bari will produce 10 large quilts and would like to have 5 -10 quilts from gifted quilting artists like yourself. We hope to engage churches, schools and our friends around the world in this Raffle/Auction and hope to attract thousands of participants to raise funds for building purchase.

The funds will be used to purchase property for the Sari Bari Kalighat Unit, which was our founding unit. Rent prices are soaring in Kolkata and making ends meet with rent costs has become difficult. We hope by purchasing a space we will ensure the long-term possibility of freedom for women employed by Sari Bari in the Kalighat Red Light Area.

The following are the terms of participation:
We would like to engage your participation by asking you to share your quilting skills with the Sari Bari Community through the production of a quilt for our Quilt Auction/ Raffle. Sari Bari will provide the materials you will need to complete a Twin, Full or Queen size quilt made out of Saris. The quilt design and complexity will be up to the quilting artist. We would like to do the Sari Bari Quilt Raffle/Auction in October and we would need to receive the completed quilt no later than September 10, 2012 in order to photograph and prepare for Raffle or Auction. We will name you as the Quilt artist on the website.

Sari Bari will provide:
• A shipment of Sari’s in a color scheme of your preference
o We will provide enough sari material for not only the described project but enough for your own future personal projects
o You can choose to work with new Sari’s or recycles sari’s depending on your preference
o Materials request and color preferences should be received by Feb 15th for March Delivery or March 15th for April Delivery or April 15th for May Delivery.
• You may request an upfront stipend for estimated materials costs.
o Thread
o Batting
o Backing material
o Coffee ☺

What you should know about recycled Sari’s:
• These are previously used Sari’s
• The material is very thin and very soft
• The saris will be washed before being sent from India and you may want to wash them again before you begin to piece.
• Recycled sari’s have a tendency to stretch when pulled and this may make it hard to work with smaller pieces
• We will send you a lot of saris so you can pick and choose what you think will work best.
What you should know about new Sari’s:
• New Sari’s are highly starched and will need to be washed multiple times for workable softness
• We will need to know the amount of yardage needed and less variety will be available by volume.

If you would like to participate as a Quilt Artist and donate your quilting skills for the cause of Freedom for the women of Sari Bari, please contact sarah@saribari.com with your request for materials including your mailing address and phone number.

With thanks,

Sarah on behalf of all of us at Sari Bari

Sitting on an upside-down bucket, I watch her line-up and pour six cups of milk tea while she hands two other customers samosas. She asks me how my day was and what I had eaten for lunch. My friend, who we’ll call “lady cha,” owns and operates a tea stand near our house. It’s a small tarp-covered structure surrounded by a few red and blue stools, a bucket or two and one bench. When I first met lady cha, we only exchanged perfunctory greetings – but after a few months we have become friends…well as much as our limited ability to converse in the same language allows us to be. My friend never lets me pay for cha. If I try, she says “we’re friends aren’t we – done.”

Lady cha’s hospitality is not a rarity here in Kolkata. During my short time in this city, I have been given and gifted with deep kindness that I cannot truly convey with words. It’s crazy really when I think about it. Four months ago, I was a stranger in this sometimes overwhelming, sometimes glorious, always incredible place, but I am no longer a stranger. I have been welcomed and loved by so many. The hospitality I have been shown is without measure. If you have a spare moment-or week-or month, come on over to Kolkata and we’ll treat you to some good ole fashioned Bengali hospitality. Or better yet, gift someone in your neck-of-the-woods, maybe a stranger or “newbie”, with some kindness. I hear nothing beats a warm cup of tea on a cold day!

photo credit - Taylor Fuller

Last week we had the joy of celebrating Christmas at all 3 Sari Bari units. It may be the most beautiful (and exhausting) trilogy ever!

There are images from the parties floating around in my head. Snapshots of beauty, joy, freedom and celebration.

We dressed up. We ate a beautiful meal together. We danced. We celebrated.

One of the joys for me at Sari Bari has been playing with the ladies’ kids when they come to visit the office. While at Sari Bari I have followed a five-year-old as we were sneaking around and he pointed out his favorite part of the office, a kite he got stuck on a light. I have been the tickle monster and slayed like a dragon all while the sound of laughter fills the Sari Bari buildings. The laughter is a reminder that joy fills the offices as freedom is not only for one lady but for her children as well.

I arrived in Kolkata without knowing how to speak even a single word of Bangla. After visiting the Sari Bari offices and realizing how difficult communication with these ladies would be, I was so hesitant to believe true relationships could be formed. But if I leave with any small treasure of wisdom, it will be that words do not have the all-consuming power to create or negate relationships with these beautiful women. The ladies of Sari Bari have hearts that will melt any barrier that can be erected…language or not. They love so well, and have so much to give. Whether it’s by passing you a plate full of rice at lunch or by applying hand cream to your dry hands, they will show you how welcome you are into their family…and they will do so without using words.

I sat quietly on the floor, nervously waiting for a response from the Sari Bari ladies. I had just told them that I would soon be leaving our Sari Bari family to return to the States, to be with my family there. I had no idea what their response might be. I was afraid of their reply. I had been dreading this conversation for days, months, thinking through it many nights on end. Slowly, they began to speak, to ask questions. They quietly understood what I was saying. I starred at the ground. I waited. I had nothing more I could say. To come bearing such news was agonizing.

And then it happened. The women began consoling me. “Don’t worry yourself sick,” they said. “We understand.” Eyes locked as their love lifted my head.  I had come dreading their questions, wondering how to give answer, how to console.  And in my silence, they were so gracious. Words of grief and frustration could easily have been spoken by them about my forthcoming departure, but they affirmed my struggle with the decision and the sadness that came with it. Countless times I have known their love in the smaller moments we share together; when they worry about how little I’m eating and when I seem bothered or tired. That day I understood a love much deeper, one which I could never forget.

Usually, crooked lines are not encouraged when one is hand sticking an item, but folks, as I began sewing my very first blanket; I saw the lines skirt back and forth in a “non-pattern” on the fabric.  Rest easy, I am not a seamstress, only an enthusiastic, textile-loving individual who found herself sitting among delightful, hilarious ladies who can sew with the best-of-them. As I began the “great thread adventure,” that’s what I’m calling my attempt at sewing a baby blanket, I was, and continue to be assisted and shepherded by the ladies at Sari Bari. I am constantly encouraged and given advice on not just sewing, but all facets of life. As we sit and converse in a Bengali/English mix, peace settles in, and rests like a fragrance over the room.  It’s a strange thing, beginning something new. It’s also so humbling, but one of the most beautiful things about being taught and encouraged, is being able to celebrate the unique gifts that people bring to life and to relationships.  May there be great beauty in all the new beginnings of your lives.