My name is Misha O'Shea, I founded the The Moi Thread Project when I was traveling around Asia.

When traveling I found myself drawn to textiles and how they impact the local community, exploring traditional methods and materials from Artisans and Craftsman. I am excited to share my vocation and ideas to inspire others.

Coming from Australia where education is compulsory and has high levels of participation and completion, the women in Australia make up 47.4% of the workforce compared to India which is 19%. Due to lack of opportunities 45% of women in India aged 15-29 are not engaged in any education, employment or training.  I saw a need to up skill and educate young girls and women empowering them to obtain vocational education.

I don't believe in giving money but I do believe in teaching skills.  In recent years after the loss of both grandmother and favoured aunt, who where teachers and mentors in textiles. stitching has now become my obsession.

Textiles has always been my passion. My fondest memory as a child was sitting on the floor of my grandmother's sewing room feeling the texture of fabrics between my fingers (smooth, dull, furry).

On the kitchen table she would use her tailoring skills cutting out a pattern from an old newspaper. I would watch in awe.  I hungered for her skills, asking questions as she took my measurement, we would always be working on new projects from dressmaking to embroidery. I was never bored.

My focus is on training and up skilling creating opportunities. providing NGO (Non- Government Organisations ), schools with the right equipment. Having the right tools and equipment like sewing machines, hand sewing needles, threads, fabric cutting shears, tape measure, pins and fabric. are important. These items are a big investment and are not a necessity however will provide life skills for many years to come.