Gautam credits the strong work ethic he’s been exposed to in his mother’s factory and hopes that others can see that too and be inspired. "There's a lot of hard work that goes into making these Fair Trade garments,” he says. “I hope the consumers value the product—please don't waste it or discard it—and recognize the mutual benefit in this arrangement. The Fair Trade Committee is already starting to help the worker community with health and education, which are the two main concerns. All workers could and should benefit—just as I have—through the continuing Fair Trade relationship."

As a 38-year-old mother of two, Latha works hard to give her children a future without limits. She has held jobs in several factories throughout the Tiruppur area, and says it’s different at Bestitch, where she’s now been working for two years.

“I'm very happy to work here, at a Fair Trade factory. The management and Fair Trade Committee clearly care for us and there is a good work-life balance. After work, I'm not too tired when I get home and I can take care of my family. At other factories, this was not the case.”

She is hopeful that her younger daughter, who is studying “computers and commerce,” will also work toward the scholarship when it’s her time.