Lily, of China, was abandoned at the gate of an orphanage after her father abused and burned her. Left with terrible burn scars and unresolved emotional pain, Lily grew up in the institution feeling insecure and isolated. She loved to sew, but she would do it alone, without anyone to correct her mistakes or teach her new techniques.

When Lily was a young adult, Dorcas Design, a Chinese social enterprise, invited her to come to Guangzhou as a trainee in their sewing workshop, where they train people with disabilities to produce quilted handicrafts.

It was the beginning of Lily’s new life.

Today, Lily has a prosthetic right leg, her left leg covered in scar tissue, and a metal joint in her left ankle, yet she walks straight and tall with dignity, knowing she now works in a place that offers her respect and the chance to be self-sufficient.

You can purchase one of the quilted qipao bags made at Dorcas Design through the Global Handicrafts online shop, with more Dorcas Design products available instore!

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