 Social Development Campaign Nepal
(SDCN) has helped
to organize a Women's Handicraft Cooperative in Bhaktapur, Nepal. They will be teaching women how to run their own business
by creating beautiful woolen products to export around the world.
Many of these women are single mothers
who support their families with their handicraft.
Nepali women are paid 25 cents for an intricate woolen hat.
These wages cannot support their children. They must pay to send their children to a good school.
This cooperative will enable women to pay for schooling to enrich their family life,
and
help to affect their futures positively.
The cooperative is structured with a central bank account to collect and disperse the money collected from sales. A bookkeeper from the cooperative keeps
production records of which artisan produced which handicraft, and pays out accordingly.
Ten percent is kept in the account to be available to lend to women if needed.
This practice ensures women will have income during possible hardships, as well as opening other business
opportunities in the future. A percentage is allocated for school tuition and medical needs.
Women are taught how to handle their finances, and to help each other.
Advisors help the women's cooperative become self-sustaining within
four years. Opportunities exist for new members to join and learn how to knit
from existing cooperative women. This practice promotes a self-sustaining
community.
SDCN is open and willing to accept volunteers who would like to share their crafts with the cooperative to enhance the women's skills and expand their product lines.
You Can
Help
Please write us for information
about traveling to Nepal and sharing your creative gifts with us.
Contact: shoshana@rockisland.com
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