For more than a decade, the Bandhwari Women’s Project has connected FIU Business students with women artisans in one village in India. The organization now has a new name for its next chapter: Her Hands International.
The Bandhwari Women’s Project, founded by the Incentive Foundation in India, will remain in India. Her Hands International will remain a key partner to the foundation, and both organizations will work together to expand the project’s impact. The nonprofit also plans to bring its model to other communities. The FIU student organization that supports it will adopt the Her Hands International name, with the change rolling out more gradually on campus.
“Bandhwari is our roots,” said Brianna Page (BBA ’25), the nonprofit’s president. “Nothing’s changed about our mission or helping the women. We’re just expanding into other countries, and we wanted our name to reflect that.”
The project began when David Wernick, a teaching professor of international business, introduced FIU students to an initiative supporting women in Bandhwari Village. Today, members of the International Business Honors Society work with the nonprofit to promote and sell textiles and accessories handmade by the women. The effort supports skills training, education, and other needs in the community.
Page said the team had long considered expanding but wanted to establish its work in Bandhwari first. About six months ago, members began exploring how they could adapt their approach for another community. They have since begun testing a new project, though they are saving its location for an announcement later this year.
Alumna Danielle Shew, a former student marketing director who is now serving in the Peace Corps, is helping build relationships for the expansion. Her experience with the project has taken her from website and marketing work to collaborating across languages and cultures.
“The goal was never to impact only one village,” Shew said. “We can impact the women in that village and then expand that to other groups of women as well.”
For students, that growth brings new opportunities to put international business lessons to work. Amanda Garcia, a senior studying international business and business analytics, helps connect the nonprofit with FIU students and organizes its annual trips to India. She first traveled to Bandhwari as a curious member of her honors society. Seeing the women’s work firsthand prompted her to take on a larger role.
“It’s one thing learning something in a class, and it’s completely different actually being hands-on,” Garcia said.
Page understands that pull.
She visited Bandhwari twice as a student and remained involved after graduating in spring 2025. Seeing the project’s impact on the women and their families made her want to help it grow, she said.
Supporters will get a first look at what's next at the third annual Her Hands International fashion show and fundraiser at 5 p.m. Dec. 5 in FIU’s Graham Center Ballrooms, 11200 SW Eighth St., Miami. The event will feature food, a cultural celebration, and the organization’s newest clothing line, along with an announcement of its expansion plans.
Tickets are $25 for FIU students and staff and $40 for general admission.
Purchase tickets through Eventbrite.