If you’ve been following updates here on my travel blog, you know that this fall I’ve been giddy to launch a new series, Beautiful Ideas Help the World, featuring organizations I personally love, impacting lives all over the globe through beauty, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Since, sadly, I can’t bring back souvenirs for everyone, I’m hosting giveaways to go along with these posts, to offer each of you a little chance at something special from overseas.
Feature Two: Sari Bari: Kolkata, India
Enter to win a re-purposed sari bag by leaving a comment; read below for the full story.
How do you enter to win one of these beautiful sari fabric hobo bags from Sari Bari?
This is my personal Sari Bari bag I’ve been carting around the world, pictured here on the beaches of Zanzibar next to little coral treasures. See below for a photo of the lovely gray and gold bag featured in the giveaway.
Easy!
I’m not a fan of gimmicky giveaways, so I’m not requiring tweets or follows, but I’m providing links to all the relevant Sari Bari information, and I’d love to invite you to follow the project’s story and think about purchasing from them the next time you want your dollars and cents to go toward something beautiful.
To enter the contest, simply leave a comment below answering one of the following questions. (Leave a second comment answering the other question if you’d like to enter twice.)
A) How many bags do you usually take on an out-of-state or overseas trip?
B) Beyond a Sari Bari bag, which other beautiful re-purposed sari item would you love to call your own? Take a look at their line! – throws, table runners, bedcovers, baby blankets, makeup cases, jewelry rolls, scarves, computer sleeves…the list goes on and there’s no wrong answer.
Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere. (That means you lovely international readers as well!) All you need is a mailing address. Winner will be chosen at random and notified by email. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected and notified. See here for full giveaway terms and details.
Giveaway closes at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that’s Oregon!), on Wednesday, November 7th. So, you can wait around until just about midnight on the 7th to enter (if you find yourself needing a distraction from US election results), or you can leave your name and answer below right now…
I love Sari Bari’s mission and their beautiful products. I discovered them shortly after they started selling merchandise online in 2008, and since then I’ve been grateful to order several of their beautiful baby blankets to give as special baby shower gifts. Each one is unique, each bears a label with the name of the woman who crafted the piece, and each is a symbol of beautiful new life.
The following excerpt is taken from the Sari Bari website:
***
Sari Bari opened in 2006, after four years of steady presence in the red light areas of Kolkata, India.
Kolkata hosts more than 22 red light areas and more than 60,000 women work in its commercial sex industry. Sari Bari operates in two of these red light districts: Sonagacchi and Kalighat. Most of the women and girls working there come from the villages of West Bengal, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. They never chose the sex trade for themselves; poverty, trafficking and trickery chose them.
Sari Bari began with a series of friendships that transformed our worldview and in fact, our lives. The first relationship came to us by chance; our friend Josh went to the barber and was offered sexual services when his haircut was finished. Rather than accept, Josh started a conversation. That simple conversation led our community to begin visiting the brothels.
New life at Sari Bari starts with a simple invitation. We have a team of staff who visits the red light areas, keeping connections open and making opportunities for new friendship a priority. The team offers presence to the women’s current circumstances and invitations to work at Sari Bari or partnering businesses.
Whenever a woman accepts the invitation, she interviews and is assigned a start date. The brothel visitation team continues to follow up with her to encourage and support her during the time leading up to her start date.
Everyone’s first day at Sari Bari is celebrated with a birthday cake. The staff gathers around on these special days to celebrate and encourage the new women as they take their first step toward freedom and a new life. Their mukti (freedom) birthday is marked and we continue to celebrate it yearly with cake and a community celebration. As Sari Bari has grown, we celebrate a mukti birthday almost every month!
***
For more on Sari Bari’s beautiful work, visit their site, follow them on Twitter, and enter below to win this beautiful hobo bag, hand made in India and tough enough to survive a trip around the world.
Gray & Gold Hobo Bag – Featured in the Giveaway
Literally the day before we left on our trip, I pulled my purple hobo bag back out from the storage boxes and set it with my backpack and day bag. I thought if I was leaving nearly everything behind for the year, it would be nice to start out in the first new city with one last familiar piece of home. I’d been using it as my main purse for eight months already, might as well try to stretch it a little longer. I figured I could always give it away to a new friend on the road if it got to be too much to carry.
Bringing it turned out to be one of the best last-minute-decisions of my life (I’m barely exaggerating).
The cloth compresses easily to fit in my backpack when we’re buttoned up and on the move, and it comes out quickly for those times I’d rather ditch the rest of my luggage and not look like a total tourist.
Call it a security blanket, but my Sari Bari bag makes me feel a little more like myself when I’m wandering foreign markets or trying to fit in on a cruise ship or carting my camera around ruins or dining in restaurant and generally trying to look like I don’t actually carry my life around on my back. It expands enough to become my carry-on on planes and buses and holds my other small black nylon shoulder bag and camera and stash of overnight clothes and a toothbrush.
The zippered inside pocket holds my phone; the other little internal hiding places are great catch-alls for pens and my mini-Moleskine daily spending ledger and the random tidbits I collect along the way.
Though we’re not making it to India on this trip, I’ve carried this little piece of India with me all around the world. It’s a bit threadbare after these thousands and thousands of miles, but it’s still just as beautiful as the day it appeared in my mailbox, with love, all the way from the women of Kolkata…and I hope you’ll get the chance to find one of these beautiful pieces waiting for you in your mailbox someday very soon!
One last note: Until October 30th, Sari Bari is running their second annual Quilt Auction in hopes of raising $60,000 to fund another 25 women on the road to freedom. I invite you to check out their special collection of quilts from around the world and place a bid or leave a donation…
(P.S. My favorite is “Cotton Candy” – just for the record!)
This post is part of my Beautiful Ideas Help the World giveaway series featuring organizations I personally love, impacting lives around globe through beauty, creativity, and entrepreneurship. No tweets or follows or gimmicks are required to participate, but please consider keeping in touch and following along on our respective journeys:
69 Comments
Luke and I try to be very light packers when we travel. Both of us had only a single backpack for England, France, Morocco, Spain, and Greece. Recent trips out of state have required a bit more…My Timbuktu normally accompanies me for a day pack but that hobo bag is much cooler (and stylish)! Miss you guys and can’t wait for the new year!
Hey Allison! It’s funny how it’s easy to pack way more sometimes for short distance trips; I’m glad I’m not the only one. ; ) Well done on the single backpack in Europe. Miss you guys, too – looking forward to a fun reunion when we get back.
What beautiful bags and other lovely things!
My answer to question A: When I go overseas I usually take 2-3 bags: 1 suitcase, 1 carry on, and a light bag inside the carry on to whip out once I get to my destination and dont want to be lugging around a backpack. I have actually been looking for a new light bag, so this Sari Bari bag would be perfect!
Thanks for entering, Bonnie! I’m glad you love the look of these bags, too : ) They really are so roomy and great for packing. Another thing I love – they have a really sturdy zipper so everything can be completely sealed up. Super handy when we’re out in the crowds. Good luck on the giveway!
And here is my answer to question B (I really want a bag!): The original sari blankets are also beautiful. I would love to own one of those, perhaps the bright yellow one (so cheerful!) one day.
OMG sooooo beautiful!! I always bring 3 purses with me. Black, brown, and an evening clutch.
Ready for anything! ; )
Their products are simply lovely. And I am touched by the motivation and mission of Sari Bari. Thank you for sharing their story!
My response to question A: I usually carry 2 bags for myself: 1) a backpack and 2) a suitcase or a large bag.
When I’m touring around at the destination, I find the backpack bulky sometimes… However, with a preschooler in the family, I need to carry a couple of his favorite toys (and some snacks and a small bottle of water :)) along, and therefore, I resign myself to carrying the backpack.
This hobo bag looks like a great solution!
I think this would be a great camouflage for carrying your preschooler’s snacks and toys and waterbottle : ) That’s what mine’s usually full of, if you count my camera as a toy and my steel waterbottle and stash of Mentos as water and a snack ; )
So glad I could introduce you to Sari Bari and their work. I just love them to pieces, and I’m happy you now know of them, too!
Take care, Anita
xx Bethany
In regards to actual bags (like purses), I only take 1 with me. This is such an awesome giveaway!
Thanks, Erica – cool to hear you love it! And thanks so much for sharing about the Sari Bari giveaway over on Twitter : )
I only bring one bag with me when I travel unless I also have a formal event to attend. On those rare occasions, I also include a clutch that packs easily.
Clutches are very handy – I have a little leather one that my best friend brought me from Australia. It’s durable enough to hang out inside the shoulder bag, and then I can pull it out on its own if I need to carry something small. : )
I usually bring two purses with me: one that’s a bit large and shapeless where I can throw my camera, snacks and guidebook, and another smaller one that just fits a wallet for going out at night. I also like the little coin purses they have on their site – those are cute~
Aren’t they?? Glad you like them, too! It sounds like we have a pretty similar packing style : )
I became acquainted with sari bari a few years ago when I saw a beautiful throw at a friend’s house. A wonderful organization with a great mission!
My answer to Question A: When I travel, I usually take a backpack and a travel purse. Since I’m in charge of tickets and passports, it’s imperative to have a great purse to stash it all in!
Lora, so terrific that you know about Sari Bari! Aren’t their throw blankets just beautiful? I dream of someday having a guest bedroom that I could furnish with all sorts of beautiful things like that… : ) Thanks for commenting and for entering to win!
Cheers,
Bethany
My answer to question B: I’d love to purchase an original sari bari throw one day. All the items are really beautiful; full of hope and redemption.
I’ll admit! I haven’t visited your actual site much because I usually follow your travels just via Twitter, but you’ve got some gorrrrgeous photos and thoughts floating around here! Wow! I need to step up my blogging game.
When I travel, I usually bring two bags. One is usually large enough to carry my laptop and/or a change of clothes if I need them. The other is a nicer bag, usually nothing larger than a small handbag, that I can stow inside of my first bag or use on its own if I’m going somewhere fancier. Lately I’ve been using this one a ton: http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Clearance/Womens-Accessories/Bags/AM162/Womens-Oil-Cloth-Slouchy-Bag.html?NavGroupID=1
And this is usually my (ridiiiiiiiiculous) smaller bag. http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1070&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=t-iFYZkFfXbX-M:&imgrefurl=http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Poppy-blue-sequin-bag-/321000994225&docid=aoOIl6k2kS7bDM&itg=1&imgurl=http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Coach-Poppy-blue-sequin-bag-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA%253D%253D/%2524T2eC16N,!y8E9s2fik)%252BBQeQ4LesOw~~60_35.JPG&w=300&h=225&ei=KVWPUM3VKKmcjALajoHADw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=791&vpy=81&dur=589&hovh=180&hovw=240&tx=91&ty=117&sig=104024445070201206857&page=1&tbnh=139&tbnw=197&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,i:87
Whee!
Narf, what an ugly link. Here’s my AMAZING BLUE PURSE.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Poppy-blue-sequin-bag-/321000994225
Also, I want to see Sari Bari’s computer cases!
AH! They’re both so cute! (And I love Boden!)
You’re sweet to follow along on Twitter. It gets a little scattered since it’s combination of real time tweets + announcements about “new” blog posts covering previous countries. ; ) But if you can handle the disorientation, you’re invited back any time to read stories and see pictures : )
Did you get to peek at the Sari Bari computer cases? I’m thinking I’d like to get one when I get home. I have this heavy duty (ugly) black one that serves its purpose on the road, but I think a bright and cheerful one would fit in well when I’m back to less chaotic living ; )
Thanks again for popping in and for entering. I always get a kick out of seeing your education + life tweets : ) See you back on Twitter!
-B
They’re back in stock now, look!
http://www.saribari.com/product/large-computer-sleeve-15-16/
Yesssss!
So cool! I just saw your tweet, too : ) LOVE that you scored one! They’re just gorgeous.
1) I love to pack a carry on bag with my essentials and then a small backpack and purse. Of course, on the plane you have to somehow combine the last two! :)
2) I have been famliar with Sari Bari for just over a year now and l-o-v-e what they’re about. I regularly peruse their website and admire their throws. I would live under one of those if I could!
So great, Kristin! I love that you love them, too : ) You comment makes me picture something like this: http://pinterest.com/pin/84583299221039534/ – for grownups : )
Thanks so much for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway xx
Pretty much what I had in mind exactly. :)
Glad I found you through a Sari Bari retweet- which is ironic because I’m an Oregonian too! It took some powerful work in India to connect us. :)
Perfect hobo bags- just what I need or sometimes try to sew myself :)
A) I guess I usually pack 2 or 3 of my little shoulder bags and a big hobo bag or satchel with me :) yep, and some simply space-saving shopping bags for unexpected events :) you those pretty printed textile ones .
Those little packable shopping bags are so great! Especially in countries where plastic bags are the only other option – so nice to be able to provide your own.
You’re right about the Sari Bari makeup bags doubling as a pretty purse : ) So many beautiful things to choose from!
Thanks so much for entering xx
B) I’ in love with their makeup bags which surprisingly could be pretty purses ,as well! and their lovely colourfully scarves!
thank You!
* colourfully printed / dyed ? scarves :)
Lately, my bag collection has been pared down to one (!). A simple, camel colored satchel with a cross-body strap. It’s sleek, light and keeps me hands-free, which is critical when I’m in busy mom mode. I’d like to invest in an oversize clutch for nights out, but I haven’t run across the perfect one yet. Absolutely adore that hobo bag! Gorgeous!
Cheers to simplicity, eh? ; ) So glad you love the hobo bag – I’ve been impressed with how much of a beating mine’s taken. It’s still going strong…though I wouldn’t mind an excuse to replace it with a new one. They have so many pretty colors to choose from : )
I’m in love with those beautiful sari blankets!
I pack as light as I can! If the trip is longer than 9 days or so, I have to take a suitcase, but mostly it’s just a carry-on and my small purse! I’ve only been out of the country once, and that was a missions trip to Puerto Rico.
I love their carry-all bags! Especially the yellow one! I’m imagining everything I could use it for… laptop… library books… overnight bag… carry-on…!!! It’s going on my Christmas list! :)
Yay! I’m so glad you love them, too : ) My bag really does the trick for all those duties and more. I am amazed at home much I can stash inside…just last night I had Ted’s sweatshirt and my sweater, scarf, and wallet and a cell phone box (long story!) and a few notebooks and a map or two…and there was still plenty of room. It’s like magic ; )
This really amazing, cool, thoughtful friend of mine ;) gave me the most beautiful Sari Bari baby blanket and it has become Ramona’s most treasured possession. It’s cool and breathable, yet warm enough for chilly nights and so soft and snuggly- she can’t go to sleep without it. We left it once at the zoo and I was nearly in tears when I thought we had lost it because it turns out I’d become rather emotionally attached to it as well! (Luckily it was retrieved by a zoo keeper…whew!) Sari Bari is a wonderful organization and makes beautiful, durable, unique products- I was hoping you would feature them! As for the questions:
a.) By myself, I can take a small carry on suitcase and a large purse. With the kiddos…gotta check one huge bag for all the possibilities…
b.) I would honestly LOVE anything on their line, but I wouldn’t holler at a full size throw blanket for myself….or a scarf….or a comforter….
Aww, I love that you and Ramona both love the blanket so much! It was just the perfect one, too – orange, not pink or purple, and so fluffy and soft. I’m so honored that you picked it as her coming home from the hospital blanket : )
Also, re: your story – three cheers for that zookeeper! ;)
First of all I wanted to say how much I love your blog. You guys are great at sharing inspiring stories, amazing pics, and helpful travel advice. It’s perfect for a fellow traveller to read on the road.
So in answer to question A: for all trips whether they’re weekend getaways or a year-long move across the world, I bring 2 bags at most. One is dedicated for the main things, clothes etc. and the second bag (on my best-packed trips it even fits into the first for travel days) is just a purse/day bag. Something I can walk around with and still feel moderately fashionable, but I can also stuff it with the basics for a day trip. These Sari bags look like they fit that description perfectly. What’s even better is the story behind their creation. One of the great things about travel is being able to find such unique products around the world.
Great promotion! I’m siked to take part!
Cheers
Meg
Cheers, Meg! That’s so kind of you to say. Thanks for that. It’s good to hear that our scattershot mix of posts and topics aren’t too random for readers ; ) It really is wonderful to discover new products and stories around the world, isn’t it? We were spending time last month with two kiwis in Southeast Asia and they were telling us about another amazing project where an organization is intervening and adopting girls who have been sold into slavery and are being smuggled across the Nepalese border. The girls who have been adopted are now involved in making beautiful handicrafts out of traditional felt materials – I’m really curious to learn more! It sounds like just the kind of thing that overseas buyers would like to support…
Thanks again for popping by and for entering the giveaway!
Beautiful bag! I try to take one large bag and a backpack on a trip but then I pack smaller sized bags so that I have a small purse and usually another type of tote for activities where I want to carry more things. And as for their other products, I’d have to pick a scarf because you can never have too many and their a great accessory with multiple purposes!
Thanks for your entry, Laura : ) I agree with you 110% on the scarf comment!
I usually pack too many shoes, so I skimp on bags…usually pack just 1 really good one to go with everything. Hope your trip is going fantastic!
Teresa, you’re a sweetheart! Thanks for that – yes, the trip is going so beautifully. We have just seven weeks left, if you can believe it? So, so many more stories, though. Thanks for entering the giveaway! I’ll be drawing the winner soon : )
For most out of state trips I can get away with a purse + backpack, but I tend to pull out the suitcase when leaving the country.
Side note: these are AMAZING. :)
Stephanie, I’m glad you love them!! : ) Aren’t they so beautiful?? Thanks for entering! I’ll be drawing the winner shortly.
A) I try to take just one bag with me, usually a shapeless, easy to pack satchel or hobo style bag, and then I use a wallet that doubles as a clutch/wristlet for going out when I don’t want to carry the bag :) Love these bags and this organization!
Hey Katherine! So great to hear from you. I’m glad you love Sari Bari now, too : ) I’m such a big fan. Thanks for entering the giveaway; I’ll draw the winner soon.
A) I usually pack one bag to check and one small bag to carry on. For short trips I only take one medium bag to carry on.
If I am traveling solo I like to travel pretty light, maybe a medium sized duffel or rolling bag and a small backpack. If it is all 4 of us then the amount of luggage equals every available square foot in the car + 1.
Mark, you rock. I’m glad you entered. Your comment re: packing for four is hilarious. ; ) That bag is going to look very styly on you if you win! I’ll draw the name soon … keep an ear out : )
For your second question, I have a thing for table runners. :) Thanks for introducing this site! There are some beautiful works of art. I have so thoroughly enjoyed following your travels. What beautiful lives you both lead!
You’re so sweet, Beth! Thank you : ) I’m glad I could introduce you to Sari Bari – I know what you mean about the table runners. Such an easy way to make a meal more beautiful : ) Thanks for entering – I’ll draw the winner’s name soon!
A) Only ONE bag! Whether you travel for 5 days or 5 months you should pack it all into one bag. Keep it minimal. Ok, I lied – i also often carry a camera bag. Annoying, but necessary. :)
B) I would love to have a sari bed cover. Specifically, i would want something that serves as a sleep sack so i could carry it with me and avoid using others’ sheets. Ewww bed bugs.
Now, if they could make a bed-bug proof sleep sack out of recycled saris, they’d hit the travel market jackpot! ; )
1. I take 3-4 bags
2. I would love a table runner
Thanks for entering, Cindy! Winner announced soon : )
I am not a light packer at all. When i went to S. America for six months i packed two full sized suitcases, plus handbag and another bag. For Europe it’s a little better: a massive backpack and of course a large handbag for everything that i could possibly need.
That lovely bag would be ideal for my next overseas adventure!!.love the products, and i adore the beautiful throw i have already. I’ve got my eye on another one… Early Christmas present?
Ahh!! I’m so happy that you entered : ) I wish I could’ve been in South America at the same time as you… At that time, I was packing my small bag and my backpack – but the backpack was loaded down with the tent, too, and I felt like a whale!
Can’t wait for Christmas : ) xx
Hugs,
Bethany
I normally just take the backpack and a random bag. You know the one, where it’s been at the back of the closet (for reasons you fail to remember), and think – perfect! I will do a long trip with this one, it looks lonely! And then, you realise too late, why in fact it was at the back of your closet.
Anyways, these are lovely! And I want one. I need to bring a little bit of India to my travels in Africa :)
Hah. Yes, that bag. I think this could be a nice alternative?? ; )
Your story randomly reminds me of this (ugly) black and red Nike backpack I had a while ago. I hated the look, but it was so functional that I ended up using for ages during college and after. I took it to Europe as my second bag, and I used it around campus to haul my stuff when I biked to class. I’m grateful to say that I’ve moved on to better looking bags…but it’s still pretty hard to beat as far as utility goes.
Anyway…moving on. I think India would look pretty good in Africa! ; ) Thanks for entering. Winner posted soon!
Too late for me to really enter the give-away but the Sari Bari website is lovely! Thanks for the info. (Table runners would be my choice :) Enjoy the rest of your traveling adventures!
Ah, thanks Sue. I’m glad to be able to introduce you to their site! They have just lovely stuff… It’d be fun to feature a Mongolia project someday : ) : )
Hugs to you!
Bethany
Congratulations to our winner, Beka Pike, whose entry was selected via random.org.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the giveaway, thank you to Sari Bari for their work and their lovely products, and thank you sincerely to each of you who pause to consider intentionally placing your passion and dollars behind beautiful ideas that are actively helping the world.
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