She’s feisty, compassionate and totally committed. Mercy Abraham is the woman behind the vision that brought the production unit ‘Flowering Desert’ in the South of India into existence – currently the sole supplier of all Martha Evatt bags.

Around 15 years ago Mercy began her work in the local community with a heart to help desitute women in her area. Many of these women had been cast out of their homes or involved in prostitution but Mercy, along with husband Vinci, decided to try and help them by providing food and refuge.

Over the years, Mercy’s Christian refuge has grown and grown and now accomodates around 10 women who live in their own purpose built building near to her house as well as around 80 girls, orphaned or living away from families that can’t afford to keep them. Mercy gives them food and accomodation and pays for their schooling and uniform. She was recently awarded special recognition by the local police force for her contribution to the community.

The women at Mercy’s place help with farming and agriculture, some are involved in cooking and cleaning and others are taken on to the one year stitching course before taking a final exam to graduate into the stitching production unit. On the course the girls learn all kinds of skills from developing embroidery stitches to pattern cutting to card making with particular focus placed on quality control. Recently Mercy, alongside some key players in the UK, has been raising funds to build a medical centre on the site of the refuge as access to medication in the area is very limited. The plan is to become self-sufficient, growing all food and vegetables that are needed to provide for the women and children who live alongside her.

Mercy truly is a unique, inspiring and phenomenal woman who we had the privelige to spend 5 months with. We saw first-hand her commitment, determination and dedication to help those in desperate poverty and need in her community and it’s this need that drives us to keep selling bags, keep designing, keep sourcing and keep telling you about incredible people like her.