March 8 is International Women's Day. To mark the occasion, The Sofia Echo looks at some of the issues, both positive and negative, affecting women in Bulgaria today.

When I left my Peace Corps host family in Kostenets to begin my new life in Bulgaria's capital of wisdom, my host Baba, Magdalena, a wonderful, strong woman, made sure I was prepared.  Not only did she include chubritza (savoury herb), copper (dill), and my favourite pickled salata, but two pairs of knitted slippers and an oversized wool sweater vest for those cold zima nights. Knitting is an old tradition in Bulgaria, but as Magdalena demonstrated, far from extinct.  And thanks to the Bulgarska Traditzia Foundation where I volunteer, I dare say this crafty custom has perhaps even undergone a significant renaissance.

You've probably heard of Traditizia. It's that boutique full of handmade gifts next to the British ambassador's Residence. But what you might not know is that Traditzia is both a gallery and a foundation. As a non-profit organisation, they help artisans, some socially disadvantaged, some in institutions and some simply talented, to help themselves through craft consultation and art therapy. As a gallery, Traditzia sells their handmade items, providing previously inaccessible direct market access for these struggling artisans. The result is a self-reliant life, a sustainable income and a sense of pride. At Traditzia, every stitch tells a cultural story and every purchase has a world of purpose.While not every item in our gallery is crafted by an individual with disabilities, every purchase goes directly to help the most vulnerable groups.

The Thomas Collection is one of Traditzia's most touching tales. This colourful collection of hand-knitted sweaters and accessories for children was created through a generous donation from a foreign family in Bulgaria.  In 2004, Hanna Ruszczyk and Roderick Ackerman gave birth to a baby boy they named Thomas.  Sadly, Thomas was born premature in the sixth month of Hanna's pregnancy and died after only seven weeks. Had Thomas lived, he would have been severely disabled.  In honour of their son, Hanna and Roderick wanted to develop opportunities for individuals with disabilities to help themselves - a living memorial to provide a "hand-up" rather than a handout. In September of that same year, Hanna helped Traditzia launch the Thomas Collection, a programme which provides materials and jobs to knitters with disabilities and then sells their finished products in the Traditzia gallery.

To find knitters, Traditzia advertised in several regions across Bulgaria. And news spread quickly across the mountaintops. From Bourgas to Berkovitsa, ladies responded with enthusiasm, sending in samples for review by Traditzia's product selection committee.  Traditzia also found knitters through their PHARE grant: Disadvantaged By Opportunity, But Not By Ability: Creativity Does Not Come From Social Status, and other programmes designed to help artisans create marketable crafts. Taking these knitters under their many wings, Traditzia provides special high-quality cotton or wool yarn-all natural materials-and specific patterns for the most fashionable current children's styles.  But most importantly, whether it's across phone lines, through the post or in person, Traditzia listens and visits.

"They are always happy to see me or hear me, because for them it means more work," says Borislava (Bobi) Simova, Traditzia's product development manager who is located in Bourgas. "The Thomas Collection allows them to reach another world through knitting.  Sometimes we discuss people with disabilities and sometimes I do some shopping for them."

Some work from their own houses. Others contribute from the shelter of a social home.  Still some gather in a sewing circle. But from the streets of Sofia to the strawberry fields of Yagodovo and the cobblestone lanes of  Plovdiv to the slopes of the Rhodopes, each woman needs only a pair of chopstick-like knitting needles to craft these beautiful handmade treasures.  With a flurry of fingers and a fulfilled heart, they finish scores of sweaters, scarves, hats, purses, jumpers, quilts and sleepers for Traditzia every year.  And each one has their own story.

* Maria Georgieva, (83), is a former accountant living alone in Sofia.  She is disabled from a series of unsuccessful surgeries and can move around her home only with great difficulty.  Now famous for her knitting skills among family and friends, Maria's Thomas Collection work helps to cover her living expenses and healthcare.

* Thirty-six-year-old Petya Mihailova is from the tiny village of Yagodovo in the Berkovitsa municipality in northwest Bulgaria.  Disabled by cerebral paralysis, Petya Mihailova has faced endless discrimination due to her disability.  In fact, despite qualifications as a graduate in business administration from the Economic Professional School in Varshets, her attempt to create a self-reliant life in Sofia failed when she could not find employment.  So, after her sister's death from cancer in 2003, Petya returned to her parent's home.  Her work for the Thomas Collection has helped restore her faith, confidence and capacity for beautiful things.  She now feels appreciated without prejudice.

* Stanka Velichkova, disabled since birth, has always had difficulty getting around.  Even now at 41, the farthest distance she's ever walked is her own garden.  Stanka's never had the opportunity to attend school, but has learned to read and write on her own-she even knows a bit of French!  Stanka lives with her mother, (also disabled) and father in Novi Iskar, in the Kurilo District of the Sofia region.  With encouragement from them both, she enjoys knitting (her pieces are very popular) and she's pleased she can provide her family with needed income.

* Ganka Pavlova, a woman with natural knitting talent, is 64 and lives happily with her youngest daughter in Sofia.  But, life hasn't always been so kind.  As a child, Ganka was always eager to learn knitting, embroidery and weaving. At 18, however, she lost her eyesight due to a rare illness called "pull of the retinas". Ganka was married and had three children, but when they were quite young, her husband left the family.  Ever since, this strong, positive woman has been a single mother. Despite her blindness, Ganka's is one of Thomas Collection's best knitters.

* Elena Dulcheva is from Plovdiv. Due to extremely poor eyesight-she has only 10 per cent -Elena was unable to perform regular work and was forced to retire early.  Regardless of her handicap, however, this optimistic and humorous lady is a terrific knitter and a regular Thomas Collection contributor.

* Jelyazka Valeva is from the wine and rakia-producing town of Karnobat. Providing welcome leadership for the nearby community of knitters, Jelyazka regularly co-ordinates an opportunity for disabled individuals of all ages to meet and work on sewing, embroidery and knitting projects in a supportive setting.

The Thomas Collection is always evolving.  At the start of 2006, founder Hanna Ruszczyk made a decision to expand the knitter community to include not only those with disabilities, but also the unemployed or economically challenged. Soon, the Thomas Collection will also provide a special gift with each purchase: a wooden clothes hanger adorned with the Thomas Collection logo, a small wooden tree. Set to launch at the end of March is a brand new line of knitware.  With all the quality, style and talent of the Thomas Collection, but designed for adult women, this new line will include ballerina sweaters, fringe-trimmed ponchos, multi-weave scarves and easy-to-pack purses, each knitted by a socially disadvantaged Bulgarian woman.

Perhaps the best part of Traditzia's Thomas Collection is its sustainability. "With such a high demand for quality children's clothing, we always need more products," says Bobi.  More sweaters means more knitters.  And more knitters means more work, livelihood and happiness for these women.  That's something to celebrate.  

On International Women's Day, March 8, in celebration of our socially disadvantaged female artisans, Traditzia will greet each female customer with a special gift.