Toys, artisans and sustainable livelihoods with Arshad Khalid, Ethiqana
Here's a horrifying statistic: 80% of toys are thrown away within two weeks, and they're packed with plastics and chemicals which damage the environment.Handmade wooden toys, so loved by so many, had been disappearing because of rapid industrialisation and the spread of cheap plastics.Arshad Khalid is the founder and director of Ethiqana, a social enterprise which works with toy producers – 'artisan heroes' – to create employment in India and around the world.Ethiqana's mission is to preserve traditional and, often, near-extinct art and craft forms – which are also sustainable and earth-friendly.Arshad started Ethiqana after 21 years in the IT industry. He explains why – and what it means for Ethiqana to be part of the Ebay for Change programme (it was selected for the first cohort).We learn more about how this 'accidental social entrepreneur' supports artisans to create sustainable livelihoods, how Ethiqana is bringing art-forms back to life, how it measures its impact and why we must look for products made from natural materials.What next?Visit the Ethiqana website https://ethiqana.com/ and find Ethiqana on Ebay for Change too https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/ethiqanaDo you need help with your Impact Measurement and Management? More about Heidi's work at https://www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk