A Jar Full of Gratitude: Small Notes, Big Impact

At MarketPlace: Handwork of India, enrichment programs go beyond skills and income—they support women as mothers, mentors, and change-makers. Life in Mumbai can be overwhelming. Raising children amid the pressures of city life and growing aspirations leaves little time to pause, reflect, or connect emotionally. Many women grew up in villages where elders made decisions. Parenting in the city, however, demands new tool—like communication, empathy, and trust.

To nurture these bonds, MarketPlace launched the Gratitude Jar project in all cooperatives, reaching 38 mothers and their children. The idea was simple but powerful: take a moment to reflect on and express appreciation for each other. Led by Rupal, the in-house therapist, the sessions began quietly. Many participants struggled at first - praise and gratitude often take a back seat to instruction and correction.

But soon, emotions surfaced. Shivangi's daughter thanked her for being supportive "like a mother," while Siddharaj told his mother how much he appreciated her sacrifices so he could go on school trips. Sunita Vishwakarma grew emotional as her children spoke about her tireless hard work. One boy, silent through most of the session, finally shared how grateful he was for his mother's support in his education—a moment that touched everyone in the room.

Each family received a Gratitude Jar to take home—a place to collect small notes of appreciation. For many, it became a turning point in how they relate to each other.

Jagruti Achrekar, an embroidery artisan at WARE, found the experience especially moving. She and her husband had moved to Mumbai in 2008, hoping to give their children, Pratik and Tanvi, better opportunities. But it wasn't easy—Jagruti felt isolated and uncertain in the big city. Joining the cooperative in 2014 changed everything. "I found friendship, support, and guidance—not just for work, but for raising my children."

At the end of the gratitude session, her daughter Tanvi wrote that she appreciated the time they spent together—and that she saw her mother as a friend. "That brought tears to my eyes," Jagruti says. "Hearing those words made me feel proud and deeply grateful."

Smiling, she adds, "Our jar keeps getting fuller. Soon, we'll need a bigger one!"