Owen Work Mason

I live and work out here in Village Dholas, which is near Khirwa in the Sikar district. It is a quiet place most of the time, very different from the big cities. Being a mason in this part of Rajasthan means working with your hands in the sun quite a bit. My father did this kind of work too, so I just sort of picked it up as I grew up. People around here know me and usually just stop by the house or call when they need something fixed or a new wall put up. There isn’t a big office or a sign outside. It’s just me and a couple of guys from the village when there is a bigger job to do. We use the local stone mostly because that is what is available and it lasts forever. The dust gets everywhere, and by the end of the day, my boots are completely white. I usually spend my evenings sitting outside the post office chatting with neighbors. Business isn't about fancy ads here; it’s just about doing the job so the next person asks for help too. Sikar is a dry place, so we have to start early before it gets too hot to move. Sometimes we take a long break in the afternoon when the sun is right overhead. It’s a simple life, and the work is hard on the back, but it’s what we know.