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Kadek Ita

"I am the second of three siblings and we were born in Tampak Siring, known for its alternative jewelry tradition. However, I never had any interest in jewelry as I was so in love with my mother's activity: she made sarongs and other types of garments. This has always impacted me, because when we were growing up we encountered serious financial difficulties.

"Each day seemed like a struggle for survival had it not been for the apparel my wonderful mother made. My mom's persistence in providing for us has always inspired me and has made me stronger. She taught me never to heed all the negative things people said about the poverty we experienced. Even though I lived under deprived economic circumstances, I was always full of hope.

"Times were so hard it forced me to grow up really fast by the time I was 14 years old. There was no time to play like other little girls did. I had to help my mother with her very small business, and also keep up with my studies in junior high.

"By helping to sell I actually became familiar with the tourists and they inspired me to sell other items, not only sarongs. I learned to make simple dresses and comfortable shirts. Doing this filled me with hope and dreams.

"One day, when I was 12 years old, I was playing with my best friends while I was also looking for tourists on the beach to sell my items. Then a friend announced that a lot of tourists had just arrived, and without checking I just ran to the place he said but when I got there, I was met by government officials who did not allow poor people like me to sell. I was so scared that I ran as fast as I could! I did get away but I was sad, so I just kept saying to myself to be patient, that there's always a tomorrow, I still had two legs, two hands and that I could keep on fighting.

"I realized that life is meant be lived. Ups and downs in life have to be forded without leaving behind our ideals or expectations. I now describe myself as strong, full of hopes, and stubborn.

"Today I am the mother of a child, and I have my own little workshop, with my mother. We specialize in yoga wear for a few customers in Bali. I collaborate with a friend so we can create more styles and increase capacity.

"By joining Novica I hope more people will get to know appreciate the kind of work I do. Your preference not only benefits me and my mother, but also the people that collaborate with me in my small workshop."