Women’s Skills Development Organization (WSDO) is a Fair-Trade organization, which has been working since 1975 as a non-profit and income generating program. They make a wide range of handwoven and handmade products and are committed to providing customers with the highest quality products and service.

The organization’s history began on International Women’s Day (March 8) in 1975, when a group of Nepalese women formed an association known as the Women’s Skills Development Project to empower poor, vulnerable and excluded women—who had no  education, were dependent on or abused by their husbands, or generally in poor  health due to a lack of money and other tough circumstances. Their insight was  to teach these women new skills related to making handicrafts. Hence, the  project started with an investment of Rs 10,000 just three working women and  derelict property in Pokhara that had been granted by the local municipality.

It was the product of both crisis and extraordinary vision- the crisis came in the  form of long-standing social and gender inequalities in Nepal while the vision  came from a group of women who realized that enabling marginalized women  to learn and develop new skills can transform their lives and communities. 

Today, WSDO is dedicated to beautiful, stylish items that are made ethically and  responsibly. Their products are traditional and craft-based yet with a contemporary  touch. Their finest quality handwoven and handmade products using 100% cotton are imported from India (mostly from fair trade raw material, but also from non-fair trade suppliers who are from disadvantaged and economically challenged backgrounds) and allo wool  from nettle growing in the foothills of the Himalayas. WSDO also trains and employs women artisans that face difficult and significant social and economic hardships—being differently abled, abused, widowed, divorced, single, orphaned or of marginalized castes.  

These women are provided with free trainings and employment opportunities related to the many different steps of making WSDO’s handwoven and handmade products. All of  this is meant to follow WSDO’s vision—to improve the quality of life for all  women in Nepal—by empowering women with new skills and capacities to be self-supportive. 

WSDO also care about their supply chain members, environment, and: 

∙ Try to use fair trade products as raw materials along with eco-friendly  (natural and Azo-free) dyes, 

∙ Cooperate with non-fair-trade suppliers who are from disadvantaged and  economically challenged backgrounds, and 

∙ Invite interested persons to experience the chain of production step by  step as a volunteer. 

For more info: wsdonepal.com

Our products are handcrafted using all-natural fibers and materials. We use Nepali reed, bungy ropes used by Everest climbers, recycled wood items, etc., to make exquisite baskets and other handicrafts. Also, we ensure that every product of ours remains eco-friendly and of the highest quality.

Nepal Knotcraft Centre (NKC) is a social  enterprise founded in July 1984 by Mrs. Shyam Badan Shrestha who is also a current  chairperson. The main goal of NKC is to provide women economic empowerment through employment. Thus, it is  committed to 'weaving nature into women's livelihood' - changing the lives of  women through economic independence using their traditional skills and  knowledge.  

NKC started with just three women who manufactured simple macramé goods.  Today, NKC works with hundreds of women from various regions and women's  target groups from socially and economically deprived communities. NKC  partners with these women to improve their livelihoods while paying tribute to their cultural significance and value to their crafts and craftsmanship. 

All their products have a story - for it speaks of the lives of the people behind it  and places from where their natural fibers come. Their products are handcrafted  using all-natural fibers and materials and they are committed to improving  techniques and production in order to ensure every product remains eco-friendly  and of the highest quality. You are sure to marvel at their selection of products,  each one woven with the unique stories of Nepali culture and tradition. NKC believes that you'll share in the beauty and heritage embedded in every fiber of  our goods. 

Crafted is honored to partner with NKC, an organization making a significant positive impact on the Nepalese community through sustainable practices. We are thrilled to showcase their products, crafted from locally sourced materials such as Nepali reed and climber’s bungy rope, woven into exquisite baskets and other handicrafts. This eco-friendly approach not only reduces carbon footprints but also fosters a culture of sustainability and innovation within the organization and the community.

Higher Ground Nepal focuses on strengthening employability of youth, women, and survivors of violence and exploitation by helping them to develop an entrepreneurial worldview and equip them with relevant skills through coaching and mentoring programs.

Additionally, the organization emphasizes personal and professional development by connecting individuals with proficient leaders and professionals. Through training, field-based practicums, and internships, individuals gain valuable experience and strengthen their leadership skills.

Higher Ground Community Development Nepal (HGCDN), a non-profit wing of Higher Ground Nepal upholds core values such as life, liberty, dignity, and the pursuit of happiness. HGCDN adopts a holistic approach, addressing socio-cultural, socio-economic, and sociopsychological aspects to their fullest extent. By prioritizing social justice and equality, HGCDN is committed to create a just and transformed society where everyone can live in dignity.

Higher Ground’s vision statement is ‘A JUST and a TRANSFORMED society where people can live in DIGNITY.’

Its mission statement is ‘To facilitate community transformation by promoting socio-economic empowerment and leadership development.'

For more info: www.higherground.com.np

Instagram: hgcrafts.nepal

Himalayan Honey Company was established in 2000 in Lalitpur. Prem Pariyar has been a dedicated member of the company for the past 13 years. Initially, his role involved packaging, but over time, his responsibilities expanded to marketing, sales assistance, beekeeping, and honey collection. As the demand for the product increased in Pokhara, he also opened his own honey shop in 2018, and have been managing the shop since then. "Of all tasks, honey collection is one of the most  challenging tasks to accomplish’. Honey collection requires traveling across Nepal, by foot or vehicle. When extracting honey, some locations offer easy vehicle access, while others require expensive vehicle reservations. In some areas, motorable roads exist, but vehicles can't reach the spot, demanding a 3 to 4-hour walk and manual transportation of the honey. Additionally, obtaining high-quality resources and equipment for  honey extraction is challenging and costly. Traveling to remote locations for extraction often  requires carrying all provisions for food and lodging. 

Furthermore, the lack of technology in Nepal makes it difficult to store honeycombs for long  periods. Inconsistent temperature control can lead to infestations and rot in the combs. And  if the honey is crystalized, people become hesitant to consume believing in a misconception  that crystallized honey is impure, which poses challenges for sales and distribution. 

 

In the past, inadequate safety tools resulted in frequent bee stings on the face, head, and neck. Although improvements have been made, stings are still common on the hands. In addition, extracting honey becomes challenging in intense sunlight and is not feasible during very cold weather or rain, as the bees become more aggressive and risk dying. Beekeeping in Nepal faces significant challenges: high bee mortality from pesticide  use, poor industry management, and the impact of climate change affecting bee and honey  production.

I met Wendy and her husband Dan when they visited my shop for the first time. We had good  conversations which build our friendships. I am glad to partner with Crafted, allowing our products to reach a broader customer base and enabling them to experience the diverse  benefits we offer. 

“Our goal is to distribute our products both within Nepal and internationally, earning  recognition for their superior quality. We are committed to consistently producing high quality products that provide exceptional health benefits to our customers." 

Prem extracting honey from its comb in Hemja.