How three Keralam nuns have launched clothing venture ‘Stand By Me’ in a struggle for survival
Three nuns in Kerala have launched a clothing venture called 'Stand By Me' to achieve financial independence following their public protest against Church hierarchy. The business serves as a survival mechanism after they faced isolation for challenging institutional power structures.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of gender, institutional power, and economic survival for women within religious organizations.
Sewing was once just another skill they learnt at the convent. Today, it has become their way of stitching together a life of their own.
At St. Francis Mission Home at Kuravilangad in Kottayam district of Keralam, a place that was once at the centre of a storm within the Catholic Church, sewing machines now hum through the day. Fabric is measured and cut, needles run through cloth, and one garment after another takes shape.
Behind the machines are three nuns who, after years of living an isolated life and struggling even to meet their basic needs, are now building something they can call their own, a small clothing venture named ‘Stand By Me’.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in