Who produces my Shakti Mat?
Each Shakti Mat is produced by our colleagues in India.
Let yourself be enchanted by their stories and fall even more in love with your Shakti Mat.
From Varanasi to Berlin
It is India where the Shakti Mats are produced by hand and breathed life into them. We have made a conscious decision to have our Shakti Mats produced exclusively by women in our Gratitude Factory.
It is important to us that they produce the Shakti Mats under safe and fair conditions. We therefore pay them fairly and also offer them many other benefits, which you can read below.
So that you can see who has held your Shakti Mat in their hands before, we traveled to Varanasi and brought back great stories. Let yourself be infected by the Indian magic.
Gratitude Factory in Varanasi
In rural India, women are still often oppressed. Since our foundation in 2007, our vision has been to create a place that supports women to take care of themselves and lead a financially independent life.
Special features
Social change begins with education, which is why we have set up a scholarship program for the daughters of our colleagues: For 12 years, we will finance the private school Glorious Academy for them. If you want, you can donate a small contribution in the checkout.
Our colleagues in India earn fair salaries, which are more than twice as high as is usual in India. This gives them the opportunity to provide for themselves and become financially independent.
All women have access to free health insurance and medication. In addition, they receive a hot meal every day, which they eat together.
The Gratitude Factory is a safe place for the women - many even call it their family. All women are treated equally here, regardless of their origin or caste.
If someone in our colleagues' family falls ill, our specially established Shakti Mat Healthcare Fund pays for medication and treatment.
100 % handmade
Every production step is done by hand by our colleagues - from cutting to quality control. To give you an idea of what this looks like, we have brought you this video.
GEETA DEVI (32)
Before Shakti Mat, I had to work as a forced laborer in agricultural fields. I sowed and harvested fields every day and sweated under the hot sun, which was very exhausting. Here I have a Dach over my head, a fan and I am relaxed.
I now talk to so many people that I have been able to overcome my shyness. Before I came here, I was afraid of talking to people. But since I've been earning my own money, I'm no longer under pressure. I have become independent.
We only have female colleagues at the Gratitude Factory, there are no male employees here. That's why there's never a bad word about this place in our village.
I feel part of a family, all these women are like my sisters. We all come from different castes and believe in different religions, yet we are all treated equally here. There is no discrimination against each other. I feel very connected to this place, it feels like my real home.
NEETU YADAV (22)
In my town, everyone wants girls to get married young - including my parents. But I don't want to get married. I was selected by a university, but we don't have money for me to study. Before my father had a heart attack, we had a store, but it had to be closed.
My friend Radhika brought me here and I met Aunty Amma Ji (manager of Gratitude Factory). She taught me how to print the fabric and that's how I started working here. I leave all my money to my parents. Now they have given up trying to marry me off.
Before I came here, I only had one set of clothes. I had to wash it every night so that I could wear it again the next day - that was all I had. It went on like that for a whole year. When I look back, things have improved so much. I now have lots of clothes that I can wear and it makes me incredibly happy to be able to support my parents financially.
One of the best moments was when Aunty Ji told me that I could apply for support from the Shakti Mat Emergency Medical Fund for my sick father. Aunty Ji is kind-hearted. She also takes care of the menstrual hygiene of all the girls here by providing us with sanitary towels. Many girls here don't have them.
SIRA PATEL (20)
Of course, there were problems in our family, after all, it is quite big. There is my husband, his brothers, their wives and all the children. They are all farmers. The people in my neighborhood don't like the fact that I work here. There's a lot of bad talk. The usual mentality that women should not work.
But this place is simply wonderful. We get meals, earn good salaries and are always paid on time. Money is never withheld here, no matter how many days we take off. I have daughters and I want them to be well educated and achieve something in their lives. Especially because it wasn't possible for me from the beginning. That's why I work hard and direct my life so that I can work for the future of my girls - that's my only concern. Everything I earn here, I spend on my children. I use it to take care of her and that makes me incredibly happy.
Now my eldest daughter has been accepted into the Shakti Mat scholarship program. Bhaiya Ji (manager) encouraged me to register for it and now my daughter will go to a new private school. I am very happy that Shakti Mat gives my daughter a better education. After all, I want her to have it really good.
My daughter is happy about it too. She will get all the support and is looking forward to going to a new school. She has already received the new school uniform. I want to thank Shakti Mat for caring about us and being so good to us. They understand our problems and provide us with everything we need here. We lack nothing.
REESHMA PATEL (26)
I actually wanted to become a police officer, but my parents-in-law forbade it. I live with my husband, his parents, his four brothers, their four wives and all our children. Everyone except me works in the field. Due to the bad weather conditions last year, the whole harvest was spoiled. We only made it because I work for Shakti Mat.
I give my entire salary to my parents-in-law and don't keep a cent of it. They are very happy about this, because I, as the eldest daughter-in-law, perform my duties properly. If I have to go shopping, I ask my mother-in-law for permission, then she might give me some money for it.
I get up at 3 a.m., feed the buffalo and collect their dried cow dung to use later as fuel for cooking. Then I clean the house, vacuum dust, prepare food for everyone and fill the water jugs. Then I wake up everyone else, get my kids ready, and send them to school. Then I wash the dishes and make my way to work.
They give us as many paid days of absence as we want here and never withhold money. If I take paid days off, I get bored quickly. I love working here and it doesn't make me tired.
We are paid very well here, we have free health insurance, free meals, free work clothes and the very best: free school places at a private school for our children. I haven't been able to realize my dreams, but I want my daughters to be able to fulfill theirs. This scholarship program is incredibly valuable for their future and makes me very happy.
This company is a good place. They even pay us when we don't show up for work. However, this spurs me on to work even harder. I hope that I can work here as long as I can. May God bless this place, may it prosper!
SHAKUNTALA DEVI (22)
The financial situation was very difficult for me, my husband and our three daughters. My children felt disadvantaged because they lacked many things. So there was a lot of stress and tension at home.
Things have been much better since I started working at Shakti Mat. I was very unhappy before, but since I've been working here, I'm happy again. I no longer have to worry and can give my children everything they want. I am independent, earn my own money and no longer have to ask anyone for help.
I like the idea of people buying mats that I have made. However, I am always a bit worried that they will be in pain when they lie on the mat. But it's for a good cause, it serves the body and relieves pain.
Thanks to the Shakti Mat scholarship program, my daughter can go to a new and better school. Everyone wants their own children to do well. Without Shakti Mat this would not have been possible. Now my daughter will have a better education and therefore a better future.
KANCHAN PATEL (20)
I used to be afraid to do anything on my own. I was even afraid to visit my neighbors in their house next door. So I was home alone all day, became depressed and lonely. A woman from my village brought me here and I had an interview, that's how I got this job. I've been here for a year and a half now.
Many women here come from poor backgrounds and it is not uncommon for there to be difficulties at home. People get sick or have accidents. Here we can take time off as long as we want and without our salaries being cut. This is a wonderful option, because most companies only give 2-3 days off. But here we can take time off until we have solved all the problems and it has no effect on our salary.
If any of us are in trouble, they support the other women. We are all a unit, so each individual helps and takes over the work for the absent woman. That's exactly why Shakti Mat is like a family to me.
We also know that there is access to the Emergency Medical Fund in the event of illness or an accident. They take very good care of us here and we feel good to work here.
I think that people in all the different countries like what we do here. I would like to tell them to please continue to buy and use our mats. That motivates and helps us a lot.
SUNITA KUMARI (24)
I got married in 2015 and moved in with my husband. He was an alcoholic and a gambling addict - not a good man. So I moved back in with my parents and now we're divorced.
My parents are unskilled workers and we are very poor, so I work here. My brother died when he was young and my mother was bedridden. But now she also had to start working because of poverty.
I feel much better and happier now because I earn my own money and can help my parents with it. We have every comfort here. The factory is very clean, we get free medicine and meals. We are supported by Shakti Mat in case there is an emergency and I can take as many paid vacation days as I want.
There are many women from poor families here who cannot afford a good education for their children - especially for their daughters. Women are still oppressed in our society. Whenever a girl is born, her parents worry about her education and marriage. Shakti Mat supports us with better education for the daughters of their female employees - that is simply wonderful.
NIVEDITA BHARDWAJ (22)
I am so happy that I get to make something that helps other people. I think it's great that what I make is used all over the world. That makes me very proud.
It also makes me happy that people from other countries are concerned about us here in the village in India. They give us all this support - from financial expenses for emergencies to good salaries, medicine, good food and paid vacations. It is so much nicer here than in other factories and we are all incredibly proud that our employer supports us so much.
My mother came here first and had a look at the factory. She was so happy that she sent me straight here. She likes the fact that I work in a factory where only women work. We live together like a real family. I've made great friends here, I can open my heart and talk about anything. The atmosphere is very friendly.
I am now independent and proud of myself. I have money and can buy the things I want. My mother is also very proud of me, she tells everyone that her daughter works here. Even the people in the neighborhood now say: "Yes, this girl has been able to prove herself."
AARTI DEVI (30)
We had financial difficulties at home. My husband is a painter and especially in the rainy season it is difficult for him to find work. I used to sew, but unfortunately I didn't have a regular income from it. I even worked in the fields, but that was also irregular.
Since I started working here, I have a regular income and can save some money for my own needs. I don't even have to ask my husband for permission, I can spend the money on the children and me. Working here allows me to meet every need of my family. I don't have to ask anyone for anything.
I love working with these mats. It takes about 20 minutes to sew a mat and I love the fact that I sewed so many mats at the end of the day. We know that people from other countries use these mats to reduce their stress and the acupressure points help them relieve their pain. Our hard work helps people. That's why it makes me happy to make these mats.
I also like to work here because we are not treated differently because of our caste or religion. There may be discrimination outside of society, but here are only us women. We work together like a family and help each other. That's why I would never want to leave this place here.
TAMANNA HASHMI (25)
Unfortunately, I don't have children, but I would like them. I'm currently taking medication because I can't get pregnant. I would have had a doctor's appointment today, but decided to come here instead.
Here we get all the medicine we need, good food and paid vacation. I can't say that much yet because I'm pretty new here. But I know that we are offered many advantages here. That's why so many women like to come here to work.
Some people say I shouldn't work here. My mother-in-law also didn't want me to work here at first. She was worried that people would talk bad things about me. I came here anyway and started working. It has strengthened my self-confidence a lot to go out of the house and work, it has changed my whole life. The money makes a lot possible, that makes me happy.
But what pleases me most is that all children are taught in an English primary school, it is the best school in this town. A great opportunity that the company offers us. The villages around have a few state schools, but the quality of education is very low. The school where Shakti Mat has the children taught is a private school of a very good standard. I hope that one day I will have a child who will also be allowed to attend this school.
VINITA DEVI (30)
I married young and moved in with my parents-in-law. Unfortunately, they didn't treat me well. I had to get up at 3:30 a.m., go about my domestic duties and cook. After that, I went to the field and continued to work there. My husband's family humiliated me—no matter how hard I worked, it made no difference. I was very worried because they were so unfair to me.
Since I started working for Shakti Mat, I have been respected much more. I like working here, I am in the company of women I like and I feel peace in me. We all get along extremely well, we eat together, sit at a table and share our thoughts - that's nice. We enjoy many advantages here and the work is pleasant. The cooperation unites us.
My daughter has just been accepted into the Shakti Mat scholarship program. From now on, she will attend a private school. I'm so happy that she gets to go to a better school. People will see that she goes to this school and change her attitude. You will understand that she is educated.
SAROJ RAI (19)
I didn't learn much. We had a few problems in the family that my parents couldn't handle on their own, so I had to drop out of school. My brother then allowed me to work here and now I've been here for more than two years.
My life has changed a lot since then. I feel comfortable with the other women here and learn a lot of new things. We eat from a plate, make jokes together and enjoy each other's company. I came here and realized that I was now independent and could do things on my own. I can go wherever I want. I feel really good about the fact that I earn good money for my work and my brothers are also very happy about it.
They take very good care of us here. We have free health insurance and receive medicine, we get tea in the morning and lunch in the afternoon. When we get sick, everything is taken care of. We even get paid when we are absent. Any other company would keep the money, but here they would never do that — no matter how long we take time off.
I forget everything when I come here to work and it feels like this is my real family. I love being here. The women from my village are very happy to see me working here. You can see that I work at Shakti Mat even though I haven't learned much and that's a great thing.
SUMAN YADAV (19)
I am 19 years old and live at home with my parents and siblings. My whole family has been doing better since I started working here. We now have enough to eat. They pay us well, which is great. I learn everything on my own and am now independent.
When my father got sick, Shakti Mat gave us money. They give money to all families who are in emergency medical situations. Even if I can't come to work, I still get paid. My parents are very happy that I found Shakti Mat. They tell everyone that their daughter is now working. That's great.
Women with different stories come to Shakti Mat and work here. I really like how good the women here are to each other. Regardless of our castes, everyone is equal here. We talk and share our stories, it feels so good.
The Shakti Mat people are very friendly people. Everything here is impeccable, from the food to the work environment. Working here has changed my life.
POONAM VISHWAKARMA (30)
My job consists of attaching the tips to the mats. I attach the buttons first and then the discs by hand. I can do 12 or 13 mats in one day. I've been working here for a year and a half now and I feel very good.
We enjoy all the advantages. We get excellent, free food and paid vacation. Also, if I have to attend a wedding or a family celebration, I get paid. If one of us gets sick or there is an emergency, Shakti Mat cares for us as if they were our protectors. There is an Emergency Medical Fund to help us in case of an emergency. This factory is definitely better than all the other factories in the area.
The women here all come from different areas and have different backgrounds. People in my village want to tell me to stay away from people of lower castes, but there is absolutely no discrimination here. We come together, work and are so good to each other - it's fun. Everyone here is like family to me. I like being here more than at home.
My life has changed a lot. I don't have to ask my husband for money anymore. Men now understand that we are independent. It's great that we earn our own money, we are more respected as a result.
SUMAN BHARTI (22)
I've seen all the women come here to work. So I also came here and talked to Aunt Amma Ji (manager). I asked her about work. She explained to me that acupressure mats are made here. Then she let me work here.
I've been here for two years now and I really like it. The factory is so clean, we get lunch and work clothes. We get paid vacation and free health insurance in case we get sick. We even get paid if we have to attend any wedding. I also know that if there is an emergency situation in our lives, we would get money from Shakti Mat - that's great.
It's really like a family here, we share our thoughts with each other and there are no differences - everyone is the same here. Since I started here, my self-confidence has grown. I am now independent and I am so proud of it - just like everyone else is proud of me.
I inspired other women from my village to come here and work here as well. I brought a woman here and introduced her to Aunt Amma Ji. Since then, she has also been working here. I am very grateful that we are all here together. Here I feel free.
I would like to tell all our valued customers how we work here and thank them. Thanks to them, my life has changed for the better.
SARITA VERMA (27)
My husband moved to Mumbai to work. He earned well, but our financial situation was not secure. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree, but when my husband left, I wondered what my purpose in life was.
Since I started working at Shakti Mat, all problems have been solved. People have started to see me as an independent woman who does things on her own. Even the women in my village are thrilled to see that I am working, providing for my family and raising my child. I feel the difference in everything I do - especially in how I look. I earn my own money and can use it to do things that were previously denied to me.
I've become really active since I've been working here. I learn a lot from the other women I work with. It's a great place to work. We get free meals, scholarships for our children and access to the fund for emergency situations. We get all the vacation we need and they don't even keep part of our salary for it. Plus, this place here is so nice and clean, they take care of everything.
This mat is a kind of pain reliever. It is used to relieve pain in the body. We are happy that we can contribute something valuable here to help people. And when people buy this mat, they are also doing something good for us in return.
MALA DEVI (23)
A neighbor told me about this place, so I looked for work here. Now I've been here for 2.5 years and I'm very satisfied. We arrive in the morning and perform our morning prayer together. Then we receive sacrificial food and begin the work for which we have been assigned.
It's a nice place to work, it's always very clean and well organized. I have never seen such a factory anywhere. Aunt Amma Ji (manager) is like a mother to us here, we are all like her daughters. Bhaiya Ji (Manager) takes care of our children's education, from school fees to our work clothes. Our children have all the possibilities. So the girls can go to school and do well. That's a great option.
Now that my husband and I are both working, our lives look much better. I have many options here, from food to clothing. There's nothing to worry about. A lot has changed: I eat better, dress better and enjoy life.
It feels good to make these mats for people in other countries. I hope that they will recognize my work here and would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart.
ANITA GOND (35)
Eight people live in our household. My husband, my parents-in-law, our two daughters, two sons and I. When everyone went to work, I didn't like staying home alone. I was stuck here even though I wanted to work.
Some women from the neighborhood came here to work. They constantly talked about the work and the benefits they enjoy. One day I also came here and got to know everyone. I was really amazed to see how the women work together here.
Nisha (manager) taught me to sew and do other work. Now I also come here to work and enjoy the company of others. Every woman here is my friend. I feel confident and independent. I earn and invest money for my children. I'm so proud that I can do it all on my own.
It's nice and clean here. We get everything from medicine to lunches. All possibilities are open to us. There is no other factory in the area where the working conditions are better than Shakti Mat, here it is best.
I know that I work for people in other countries. They seem to like our work because we produce so many mats. It's a fabulous place to work - I love it.
Interviews conducted and translated by Roohi Sahay. German translations by Karina Schönberger.
Team Delhi
Since our launch in 2017, we have supported millions of people worldwide with acupressure products. Due to the heavy utilization of our Gratitude Factory in Varanasi, we have expanded our vision to Delhi.
There, we focus on developing a working model that is tailored to the individual needs of our craftsmen. In this model, we prioritize family strengthening, financial independence, and flexible working hours.
Delhi is an essential part of our production, which is driven there by a network of small, independent family businesses. These companies work closely together and all contribute to the cooperative production of our products.
To the Shakti production