Artisans

Our Artisans

Hamro Village provides marginalized artisans opportunities allowing them to access basic needs for their livelihood that may not otherwise be available. We favour indigenous, under privileged artisans and producers and treat them in a fair and equitable manner. Our model is centred around the economic empowerment of under privileged women in rural Nepal. In providing them with work, paying them a fair wage and treating them with dignity, we are making a huge difference in their lives. It is through utilizing the artisan's craftsmanship that we are able to provide many people with an income, which, in turn is used to feed families and send children to school. 

At Hamro Village, profit is not our ultimate goal, it is simply a by-product enjoyed by the stakeholders while practicing the main goal of being a human-centred business. We are confident that this formulae works for the people that we employ by providing them with a sustainable means of making a living. Our mission is about the empowerment of women to develop their potential, and thus, affording them an opportunity to live with dignity through the utilization of their handcrafting skills.

Artisan Stories 

Chandra ShovaMrs. Chandra Shova now 47 years old. At the age of 22 she was abducted on her way to the field and sold for NRs. 500 (US $7) to a man in Kathmandu who claimed that she was now his wife. Shova had never been to Kathmandu and did not know how to return to her home village. After one year, she gave birth to her first son. A year later after the birth of her first son, women in her neighborhood told her about fair trade cooperative. She joined the cooperative and started weaving cotton fabric from her home. During that time, her expertise in weaving brought her to train others. She then had her second son. Today, Shova still works from home making fringes for scarves, soles for felt slippers, ornaments, knitting mufflers and many more things. She benefited from the fair wage, and education allowance for one son. She also benefits from medical, festival, clothing, emergency allowance and retirement fund. She is happy that she can support her family and thanks to the work she does.

Anita LimbuAnita Limbu is 24 years old. She is from eastern part of Nepal. Now she lives in Kathmandu and takes care of her two siblings since her parents died when they were small. She does not have formal education. Using her jewelry making skills which she inherited from her parents she works from home and also helps her sister and her brother with their education. She loves to make jewelry pieces and supports her family. She is very happy and excited in her jewelry designing career. Now she is learning English language and taking some skill development training at a local vocational school.


Before 
working with fair trade, my economic condition was very poor. I worked very hard. I never get the support from my husband and his second wife. They left me with their 3 small kids and ran away. I don't know where they live. I had difficulties paying rent, buying food and cloths. Things such as children's education and health care were impossible. Sometime we went to bed hungry. I am from a Dalit society (low caste), I was afraid to  express my feelings to others. The community people also treated me as a poor and Dalit woman. Under such circumstance I was unable to provide the kindness to the children which they deserved

Now I am a member of a Co-operative Group in Nepal and my condition is improving. Due to work provided by many International organization such as Hamro Village in Canada, I am able to manage basic needs for my children and continue their education. Now I have many friends. I have developed my self-confidencece. I am able to share my feeling and opinions in front of other people. 

Thank you for changing in my life.