When this young Filipino was 17 years old, he began sewing gowns and shirts for a company that paid him 15 pesos a day—the equivalent of 35 cents for a full day’s labour.
Several years later, Ontoy was living in a graveyard community—a squatter village surrounding burial grounds—and while there, he met his wife. It was through her that the young man was introduced to our partner and an opportunity to earn a fair wage for his skills.
While some artisans begin with a big learning curve at Work of Your Hand, Ontoy came with the skills he needed for the job. And though he only worked with us for a short time, we are grateful for the quality of work he poured into our products.
Thank you for partnering with young people like Ontoy and for changing lives, one purchase at a time.
