Samantha Morshed Interview (Part One)

Samantha Morshed Interview (Part One)

By Niki

Samantha Morshed, founder of Pebble Child, an organization that works to create local employment for rural women in Bangladesh, speaks about her inspiration and the business model she chose to create. (And some fun facts: Why the name Pebble? And what’s the Broken Needle Register?)

My pre-interview preparation for speaking to Samantha Morshed, founder of Pebble toys and the nonprofit Hathay Bunano, was mostly limited to staring and longing at pictures of Pebble’s food rattles – oh, how I still crave cupcakes every time I think of them! However, aside from learning that Pebble sells adorable and creatively designed hand-knitted toys, I also learned that the organization works for an admirable purpose: creating local employment opportunities for rural women in Bangladesh.

Then the day of the interview came along, and, waiting for five o’clock, I created a mental image of Samantha in my mind – I pictured a native Bangladeshi who wanted to give back to her country. Naturally, I felt surprised when I found myself looking at the cheerful face of a Caucasian from England with her charming British accent. I wondered, What made her forsake a comfortable life in England to dedicate herself to the impoverished Bangladesh?

What inspired you to move to Bangladesh and start Hathay Bunano?

Samantha clarified that she originally went to Bangladesh in 2004 for a six-month visit, for the purpose of showing her children “the other side of their culture” (her husband is British-Bangladeshi). What came next, however, was completely unplanned. “When we started to live there,” related Samantha, “it became clear that there was so much need…we felt morally obligated to do something about it.” Drawing from her love of arts and crafts, Samantha, believing that she “had some solutions to some of the problems” in the handicraft business model, “decided to just start up a small handicraft setup” herself. Thus, the nonprofit Hathay Bunano, meaning hand-knitted, was born.

How did you go about creating Hathay Bunano, and then Pebble?

Samantha immediately introduced her first “big problem” to be the aspect of Pebble’s work that I admire most: design. Samantha explained that, “One of big problems with handicraft projects was that everything was fine as long as one of the big donor organizations was paying for a designer… As soon as the designer’s contract finished and the money ran out, you could no longer make designs that people wanted.” Instead of giving in to periodic downfalls in design, Samantha “set about taking what you could learn from the readymade garments industry…after all, Bangladesh is one of the largest suppliers of T-Shirts and things in the world.” She took what she could learn from that large-scale industry, and worked to “apply it to the handicraft industry.” And, apparently, she took in a lot.

Pebble's delicious looking cupcake rattle,
 coming soon to Shopping for a Change!

The toys originally produced through Hathay Bunano were originally private labeled for other companies, but as Samantha explained to us, she decided to create the Pebble brand, “really because…the story behind the women at Hathay Bunano was not coming out. The large companies who were taking our products were very keen to keep it a secret, to avoid competition. It was never my intention originally to create a brand. It was my intention to increase employment through the handicraft model.”

Are the women working at their homes, or are they working at set locations?

“One of the biggest problems with the traditional handicraft model and working out of homes is that you can’t guarantee basic health and safety. This goes back to the way that we started…selling to large organizations. We needed to demonstrate that we were able to maintain basic health and safety requirements. One of the most important ones is the Broken Needle Register. We can’t guarantee that if women are working in their homes. We also can’t guarantee that there’s no child labor involved. If you sell into fair trade stores, the child labor issue is smaller. There is an understanding that if children are going to school…it’s considered okay if they are working two hours a day after school. But with larger companies it doesn’t work.”

Well, I was now wondering, as I’m sure some of you are as well, what the “broken needle register” is. Though I was afraid that it might just be common knowledge, I took a leap and asked anyway…

What is the Broken Needle Register?

It turns out that the Broken Needle Register is a factory requirement “worldwide.” Though I myself found it both interesting and slightly ridiculous, in hindsight, it seems like a good safety measure. “If a needle breaks…you need to find all the pieces of that needle and stick them into a register.”

And, finally, for the sake of curiosity…

How did you come up with the name Pebble?

“There’s nothing emotional attached with it. A good name should be two syllables maximum so it can sell in any country. A ‘pebble’ is a little thing, but at the same time it’s strong and soft. It just seemed to fit.”

Hi, I’m Niki, and I’m an intern this summer at Shopping for a Change! I’m a rising junior in high school, with a passion for singing and playing the piano. So far, I’ve had a great experience working, learning about marketing, reading inspiring stories, conducting interviews, and now blog-writing. Hope you enjoy reading the installments of the interview!

A Fresh Breath in Bandipur, Nepal

By: Sneha

A stunning view of the Himalaya Mountains from Bandipur

I was born in Kathmandu Nepal, and moved to the United States when I was eight. Every time I go back to visit, I return having learned something new about my home country, and about myself. The one place I always look forward to visiting is my family’s ancestral village of Bandipur. It is a medieval village perched atop a hillside with spectacular views of the Himalaya Mountains. In the summers, the monsoon clouds and mist transform it into a lush and green wonderland. In the winters,the hillsides are colorfully dotted with rows of orange trees and bright yellow mustard flowers. 

The Children of Bandipur

All year long, there are children running through the narrow slate-covered roads on their way to and back from school, followed closely by barking dogs.  Some children walk two hours each way to attend one of the two schools in the village. Many of them live in huts with no electricity or running water.  I remember being delighted by their quick wit and humor and humbled by the joy with which they live their lives despite having so little. A friend of mine articulated, “When I went to Nepal, I thought I would be seeing lots of poor children who needed my help; only when I arrived and met these children did I realize that I was the one who was poor, and they were the ones who could teach me about how to live without wants and show me how to be grateful for the many, many things I already have”. 

Nepal is a place that will transform you if you let it. Amidst drop-dead gorgeous scenery and grinding poverty thrives a nation with a unique history and hopes for a bright future. Namaste. 

Sneha is a guest blogger at Shopping for a Change, and we really appreciate it! She continuously visits Nepal, a country she will always have a soft spot for. Revisiting Nepal has served as a part of her inspiration to become a medical student. Best of luck Sneha, we know she will be an amazing doctor. 

Nepalese Recipe

Kerako Raita (Banana Curd)

By Ariana

This month we will be serving up a variety of recipes based on the countries where some of our products are made. In this installment of our August Adventures recipes, I've decided to showcase a simple, quick recipe to a delicious curd for a quick treat. 

Banana Curd:

• 2-3 Bananas

• 1 cup yogurt 
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 1 handful of green coriander
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt (optional)

Mix all ingredients, serve chilled. Wasn't that easy? Enjoy! 

A Touch of Class

Our fair trade jewelry collection offers a little bit of everything—no matter your taste—you'll find the perfect piece among our stylish eco friendly jewelry.  Featured this week is our gorgeous Long Pearl and Crystal Necklace from Thailand's Crossroads.  The men and women at Crossroads pride themselves in creating handcrafted accessories and jewelry that are both beautiful and affordable.  Inspiration finds its roots in emerging trends and classic forms.  Crossroads artisans create detailed adornments that will be the envy of your friends.

Not to be missed is Crossroad's stunning 27" Long Pearl and Crystal Necklace.  A customer favorite, this necklace features hints of aqua, blue and purple running throughout freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals for a look that is both eye-catching and functional.  A woven chain of silver metallic threads complete this piece—perfect for a night on the town or anytime you want to feel special.

Lubiya Polo

Lubiya Polo

By Ariana

This month we will be serving up a variety of recipes based on the countries where some of our products are made. In this installment of our August Adventures recipes, I've decided to make a Persian/Afghani rice dish with lamb and green beans. I would suggest serving it with yogurt on the side for some extra fun. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups  basmati rice
• 400 g stewing beef, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 400 g green beans, into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 3/4 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground angelica
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground saffron
• thin bread (optional)
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter (more or less depends on your taste)
• canola oil
• salt and pepper

Method

1. Dissolve ground saffron in 2 tablespoons of boiling water and set aside.

2. Place the rice in a large bowl; pour lukewarm water, stir and pour off the water. Repeat four times until water runs clear. Then soak rice in salted (with 2 tablespoons salt) lukewarm water for at least one hour.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the green bean mixture: heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the green beans and sauté for 8-10 minutes. Set aside.

4. Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a pot over medium heat, add the onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; add the beef and sauté until no longer pink. Add turmeric and crushed tomatoes, mix well. Pour 1 3/4 cups water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 40 minutes or until beef is almost cooked. Then add the green beans, cinnamon, cumin, angelica, dissolved saffron, salt and pepper.

5. Cover the pot and cook until beef and green beans are cooked and sauce is thick, about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set the green beans mixture aside.

6. Drain the soaked rice and set aside. Pour water in a large non-stick pot (until it is 3/4-full), add 1 tablespoon salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Add rice to the boiling water and cook uncovered until rice is a little tender (not quite tender) about 4 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove from the stove; drain the rice in a colander.

7. Pour 3 tablespoons oil in the non-stick pot. Place a layer of thin bread in pot; it should cover the bottom of the pot.

8. Pour in half of the rice over the bread.

9. Then add half of the green beans mixture.

10. Add the remaining rice. Then top with the remaining green beans and mix a little. Try to make a nice mound in the middle. Using handle of a wooden spoon, make deep holes in rice.

11. Pour 1/4 cup water over the rice. Put the lid on and cook over medium-high heat until it begins to steam (about 4-5 minutes). Then wrap a kitchen towel around underside of the pot lid, making sure it is secured on top and away from heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for approximately 30-40 minutes. Don't overcook, you don't want the rice to become too mushy.

12. When rice is ready, remove the pot from the heat. Wet a towel with cold water and place the pot on the wet towel for a few moments (it helps to release Tah-deeg from the bottom of pot). Melt the butter. Transfer the Lubia polo to a serving dish and pour the melted butter over the rice.

A Goat on the Horizon

A Goat on the Horizon

by Niki

It was a scorching afternoon in the desert of Jodhpur, India, with temperatures soaring to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sun came down ruthlessly with its blinding brightness. Black tar from the road was melting like lava under my once clean, new tennis shoes, and as I looked around, I could see stray, sometimes handicapped and emaciated dogs scavenging for food or looking for shade, and occasional rickety bicycles limping by. While I was a miserable bystander, there they were, my four cousins, agog with energy, and happily chasing away the tall belligerent goat that had dared to take a bite out of my grandmother’s “kitchen-garden.” Then my eyes widened in awe and disbelief as, one of them, egged on by the rest, jumped atop the fleeing animal and rode it all the way into the horizon, leaving behind a dark, rising cloud of dust.

(right to left) Isha, Deepshi and I dance to Bollywood songs.
Read on to find out how!

After that wild goat-chase, the foursome ran back into the house, their loud laughter piercing through the dull afternoon. I followed behind listlessly, and then headed straight to my room to wash up. What kind of a summer vacation was I going to have in this unbearable heat, in the company of my raucous cousins, Tippy, Nimish, Dipshee and Isha, at my grandparents’ house in this remote, rustic corner of India?

I longed for a Californian summer. A summer in the picture-perfect setting of Santa Barbara, a summer that had dancing blue waves of the ocean shimmering in the fluorescent orange hues of an evening sun, and a summer that had a calming, cool breeze winding through pine trees, punctuating the warmth of the afternoon sun to create a goldilocks day. I missed outings to the malls and restaurants with my friends, and I missed my Harry Potter books and their magical world filled with wizards, witches, goblins and giants.

At the dinner table that night, my grandma served a menu of variegated delicacies, especially prepared for us, guests from America. Though I had already eaten daal bati, aloo matar ki sabji, and samosas before, my mother had kept the spices to a minimum for her “American children.” My grandma, on the other hand…I tried everything, my taste buds going for a wild ride with all the spices and aromas that I had never encountered. Everybody, watching intently, burst into laughter. All I could do was offer a feeble smile and finish up as quickly as I could.

As days wore on, I found myself at a massive handicap. I was deemed dumb for not knowing things that were considered common knowledge – local movies, music and celebrities, local sports, games, and trivia. I was considered passive and timid for not wanting to chase street dogs and goats, or run through puddles that could be carrying two hundred forty volts of electricity or harboring malaria-infested mosquitoes. I was labeled finicky for refusing to eat from the street-vendors selling red-hot spicy curries in fossilized aluminum dishes with patina that seemed to build over decades. I fell behind or got left out of the action. I would read and re-read the couple of novels that I had picked up for my airplane ride. My summer vacation was turning into an endless nightmare.

The real reason we had all gathered together at this particular time of year was for the grand festival of Rakhi, organized by my eager aunt (whom I addressed as Renu Bua). After about a week, Bua came to us and suggested that we all prepare a cultural show to perform for Rakhi night, three weeks away. My cousins immediately began murmuring excitedly. Isha announced that she had taken classes in Bollywood, and Nimish knew a bit of hip-hop. With some nudging from my aunt, I joined Deepshi and Isha to learn a Bollywood dance. Though I didn’t know much of Bollywood, neither did Deepshi, so both of us learned together while Isha led us, correcting our moves, and taking new suggestions – even from me. Over the course of the few days that we spent perfecting the dance, the two girls and I began to warm up to each other. Isha showed us her favorite dance videos, and I introduced them to some of my favorite English songs. After we learned the dance, we went to my aunt to report our progress. With knowing smiles, we politely refused to show her, despite her insistence - “It’s a surprise, Mom!” said Isha, impatiently.

Finally, Rakhi night arrived. The hall was filled with an array of lights and colors – everyone wore Indian dresses, saris and lenghas for the women and girls, and kurtas for the men and boys, and out-of-this-world jewelry made of the purest gold and silver. Resplendent in my turquoise lengha, I was dancing to the beats of booming Bollywood numbers with my cousins, as a big crowd of friends and relatives cheered on. I realized that my cousins were well-meaning individuals…we just needed a bit of time to break the ice. My remaining vacation was fabulous and I have had many more fabulous ones with my cousins year after year. I am ready to lead my American friends to rural India and show them how to have a ball riding a galloping goat into the dusty horizon.

Hi, I’m Niki, and I’m an intern this summer at Shopping for a Change! I’m a rising junior in high school, with a passion for singing and playing the piano. So far, I’ve had a great experience working, learning about marketing, reading inspiring stories, conducting interviews, and now blog-writing. Hope you enjoyed reading the installments of the interview! 

Guatemalan Hilachas with Rice, Tortillas and Avocado

Guatemalan Hilachas with Rice, Tortillas and Avocado

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped onions
1 chopped poblano pepper
1/2 red bell pepper
Chopped 2 cups
Chicken broth
2 tsp achiote powder
1 can diced tomatoes in sauce
4 tomatillos, chopped
2 tbs of vegetable oil
Flank or skirt steak 




Instructions:
-Put all of the above ingredients in the blender and blend until the sauce is thin and evenly mixed. The meat can either be boiled or broiled. Do note that boiling should take approximately 1 hour, while broiling is only about 5 minutes each side. When meat is done, let it rest and then slice it thinly or shred it.
-For final product, pour the above sauce into a large stew pot. Add the meat. Also add two diced corn tortillas, a handful of green beans, and 2 diced white potatoes. Let the liquid come to a boil and then turn the stove down to a simmer. Maintain this simmer for at least 15 minutes.
-For plating: Using a ladel, scoop the hilachas onto plate. Slice 1 avocado for garnish and drizzle with hot sauce. Simple seasoned rice can be added, as well as a warm corn tortilla. Cilantro on top of the dish acts as a garnish.