India
Thousands of Indian families have worked and lived for more than a century behind the fences of tea estates. Today, driven by need and inspired by ideas, they are remaking a world too often governed by colonial strictures.
In India as in many parts of the world, tradition and change exist side by side. This woman in the northeast Darjeeling region has plucked tea leaves from this steeply sloped estate for 25 years. Hauling massive baskets up the precipitous growing area makes for a grueling day’s work that yielded barely enough to live on. Now, Mercy Corps and Tazo Tea are creating a grassroots organization in which workers are becoming self-sufficient. We’re teaching small-scale tea farmers sustainable ways to grow organic teas — and how to sell them for a fair price.
Special Report: Reinterpreting Tea Leaves ›
Topics: Women's Empowerment, Peaceful Change, Marginalized Groups, Livelihoods, Economic Development, Agriculture
Mercy Corps and Tazo Tea Company are helping almost 13,000 people empower themselves and find opportunities to build better lives for themselves, their families and communities.
Video: Teen Honored With Global Action Award ›
Topics: Health, Global Engagement
Mercy Corps' Global Action Awards honor young people who have taken outstanding actions to fight global poverty. In 2008, Sindhu Ravishankar was one of four Global Action Award recipients.
Video: Creative Jobs Keep Teens Close to Home ›
Topics: Youth, Rural, Livelihoods
Darjeeling is in the foothills of the Himalayas in northeast India and is famous for producing fine teas. Tea estates are enormous and employ roughly 25% of the local population.
The Spirit of Social Responsibility ›
Tazo Tea's Keith Hutjens talks about the roots and philosophy of the Community Health and Advancement Initiative (CHAI) and the company's commitment to social responsibility.
Change Brewing in the Tea Lands ›
Topics: Women's Empowerment, Peaceful Change, Marginalized Groups, Livelihoods, Economic Development, Agriculture
In India's Assam state and Darjeeling district, tea dominates the local economies and societies — but communities are beginning to determine their own futures.
Styling a Better Future ›
The eight kilometers that Sonia and Rima bike from their homes to work might seem like a short ride — but that distance spans two worlds in India's Assam state.
Pay Dirt ›
Topics: Women's Empowerment, Rural, Microfinance, Marginalized Groups, Financial Services, Education, Economic Development, Agriculture
Moni Das's village is referred to simply as Line 10, Deohall Division, Deohall Tea Estate, Assam. But thanks to women like Moni, it is gaining a name for itself.
A Different Kind of Teatime ›
Topics: Rural, Marginalized Groups, Livelihoods, Financial Services, Education, Economic Development, Civil Society, Agriculture
Since its inception in Assam, CHAI has helped more than 500 families break the cycle of poverty through savings and small business development.
Buzzing with Cosmic Energy ›
Topics: Agriculture, Civil Society, Economic Development, Environment, Livelihoods, Marginalized Groups, Rural
Time spent with Rajah Banerjee — tea estate owner, agricultural pioneer, mystic and Mercy Corps supporter — is a mind-altering experience.
A Skilled Trade to Last a Lifetime ›
Topics: Youth, Rural, Marginalized Groups, Economic Development, Agriculture
The word "manokamana" means "good wish of the mind" and refers to one of the Nepali people's most sacred places. For 24-year-old Sharmila Gurung, it also means opportunity.
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