British lady, 72, opens shop in SW China to help sick, disadvantaged craftspeople

World
Europe

Blue sheep, a Himalayan caprid, is also the name of a small handicraft shop in downtown Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Rachael Pinniger from the UK opened the store in 2013 to showcase a wide range of handmade items, mainly produced by people with disabilities or serious diseases in dire need of money.

The 72-year-old woman used to be a medical practitioner and has worked in Asian and African countries. She had provided medical services and training in Nepal, Bhutan, Nigeria, and other countries before settling down in Sichuan Province.

"It's actually quite a surprise to me. Every day, I’m surprised because it’s nothing that I have thought about doing," Pinniger told CGTN.

She came up with the idea of opening her store when she saw many skillful craftsmen in remote areas in China such as Tibet, Qinghai and Yunnan who had no market for their ethnic crafts.

Interior view of the Blue Sheep. /CGTN Photo

Belts, wallets, scarves and coasters… all kinds of exquisitely-designed and produced handmade crafts can be found at the store.

More than 600 people are already benefiting from Pinniger's initiative.

"The top priority is caring for the people who made it, making sure they get sufficient income from what they do. So we try to follow fair trade principles. The second thing would be trying to preserve these cultural aspects. It would be a shame to have them die out," she said.

Pinniger has battled for years to make ends meet with the very limited market, which is still her biggest challenge. Despite financial pressure, she kept expanding her business by involving more craft workers.

Most of the artists she cooperates with have disabilities. She says for these people, the most important thing is to help them integrate into society.

"I think one of the main things is that they do feel kind of left behind by the society. That's not necessarily something the government can do. It’s for all of us to try to include them in daily life, to give them a sense of confidence and self-respect," Pinniger said.

Li Xinli is making sand bottles. /CGTN Photo

Li Xinli, a woman with paralysis from Sichuan, started collaborating with Blue Sheep in 2016 by providing sand bottles and dolls. She thinks what Pinniger is doing is in line with the principle of helping people with disability live with dignity.

"As a saying goes, it is easy for one to do something for one or two years, but it’s really difficult to persist for an entire lifetime. Rachael is devoted to helping people in need in different countries. It’s really touching and she deserves our admiration," said Li.

Rachael Pinniger and a Tibetan family with whom she collaborates. /CGTN Photo

As a world traveler, Pinniger says she has no plans for her next destination. What concerns her the most at the moment is to diversify the market to make profit, which goes back to the craftspeople who are going through hard times.

Pinniger says she will try her best to keep the shop afloat to help more people increase their income, especially those in urgent need of medical treatment.