In Atauro Island, Timor Leste, the 8,000-9,000 locals mainly work as subsistence farmers or fishermen, often struggling to make ends meet. When the women of the UK-based social enterprise Swags World (Simply Women and Girls in a Sustainable World) first visited, they found that for the women, sewing skills were valued and sewing machines were seen as aspirational items and social status symbols.Can sewing dolls really empower women?

A story by Our Better World - simple, powerful stories that will make your heart smile and spirit soar.