Ganesh Himal Trading

Category: Ganesh Himal Artisan Spotlight

  • My First Ganeshie Nepal Trip

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    Kira, her son Marcus and Denise Attwood in Nepal

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    March 28, 2025

    My First Ganeshee Nepal Trip


    by Kira Attwood
    Ganesh Himal Trading

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    It was a bit of a whirlwind, with plans finalized around Christmas and my son, Owen, deciding he actually did want to come just days before that, but such is life here at Ganesh Himal Trading!  We boarded the plane on January 23rd just two days after Owen’s 16th birthday.  This was my 3rd trip to Nepal, but my first as a “Ganeshie,” as the employees of Ganesh Himal Trading call ourselves.  Although I had some idea of what I was jumping into from my previous trip two years before, this trip proved to be completely unique.  Arriving in Kathmandu on Saturday morning, after the grueling, sleepless flights, we headed straight to Swayambu to offer our prayers to the ancient holy place.  

    Being back in Kathmandu felt a little bit like what I imagine my dog Marcus feels like after jumping in the ice-cold lake and then shaking furiously: exhilarating, discombobulating, and magical all at once.  It only takes a moment and that shake is like a neurological wake up, “yes, ok, here I am, I’ve got this!” Cars and scooties whiz by, the narrow streets are packed with people, carts, dogs, chickens, and electrical wires hang down everywhere.  It takes amazing courage for me to even get across the street because Nepali drivers don’t believe that you’re actually crossing until you’re in the middle of traffic.  Then they’ll slow down and somehow you make it to the other side, but each crossing feels like a near-death experience.  I’m a toddler again, relying on the guidance of Denise, Chunta, Pradeep and all of the other sweet angels we encounter, to literally do anything; it’s extremely humbling.  I thought so much of my former Grant Elementary immigrant and refugee students and their families.  To parent in an unfamiliar culture where you feel like a toddler yourself, requires an uncomfortable level of trust, yet somehow they move forward.  They inspire me. 

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    Felters in Nepal

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    We visited between 10-15 producer groups during our two and a half week trip, and it was incredible to see the process that each product goes through from start to finish.  With over 1,000 different products, I really gained an appreciation for all of the work that’s been put into each of the items we ship out every day.  Denise is a creative mastermind, and it was so fun to see the ideas flow between her, Chunta, and all the different artisans.  We enjoyed countless cups of tea and delicious plates of dal bhaat while brainstorming!  One of my favorite product development stories comes from a felting group called CBA.  This is an amazing group of women who do both needle and wet felting.  They make many of our beautiful pot holders, oven mitts, and dryer balls.  Austin had shared an idea for a felted wool dish scrubber, so we were brainstorming what that might look like and one of the felters, Geeta, was making a prototype.  Denise saw an old, plastic onion bag in the area and said “Oh wouldn’t it be fun if we could recycle these and use them to add some texture to the scrubbers!”  I thought it was a great idea to help get the tough, chunky stuff off dirty dishes.  The CBA felters thought we were a little off our rockers, but they agreed to give it a try.  Well, the plastic was a fail because it just got shredded in the felting process, but this is such a good example of the organic process each product goes through on its journey to our shelves. Instead of the plastic, Suluchana found a burlap bag that the felt arrives in, and Geeta tried wet felting that into the scrubber, which worked! So, when you place your order for the round felted dish scrubbers with burlap, you can picture Denise, Chunta, Geeta and I huddled over the wet, soapy blob nurturing it into a real life product!

    I have so much more to learn as I head out on this Ganesh Himal Trading path, but this trip to Nepal was an amazing, inspiring experience.  I love the people we work with in Nepal and here in the US, and I’m excited to be part of this incredible team! 

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    Felter in Nepal making heart trivet for Ganesh Himal Trading

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  • Educational Support in Nepal

    Educational Support in Nepal

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    Educational Support in Nepal

    Ganesh Himal Trading aims to walk side-by-side with our partners in Nepal, even when support beyond business is needed.  We feel a kinship and responsibility towards our community there, as one does for old friends who have experienced decades of life alongside you. Nanu is no different. She manages nearly all of the knitwear sold by Ganesh Himal. She balances incoming orders, makes sure colors and design are consistent, assists in quality control, and distributes work to the numerous groups of women knitting from their homes. In short, Nanu is instrumental to our cottage industry knitwear that employs roughly 100 women.

    So when Nanu’s home was destroyed by the 2015 earthquake, and her family couldn’t afford to pay the loan to rebuild it and her son’s school fees, Ganesh Himal didn’t hesitate to help, offering to cover the school fees for her son. Eight years later, we continue to send $600 a year to support her son’s educational endeavors. We are grateful that our relationship is one in which Nanu felt comfortable asking for assistance. And we are especially grateful for capable women like Nanu, whose tireless work and commitment, benefit so many women in Nepal by providing consistent employment.

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  • Namaste from Nepal 2019

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    NAMASTE FROM NEPAL!
    I love beginnings, looking back at what we’ve done, what went well, what didn’t and getting the chance to start anew. Beginning the New Year in Nepal is even more special. Sitting and looking into the faces of many whom I’ve known for over 30 years, reflecting back on our struggles and successes together is a gift. I am full of gratitude for our partners’ hard work and dedication, to the advancement of women in particular, but more generally to their belief in our shared dream of making the world a better place, together and across cultures. Being in Nepal I am constantly reminded of how close they sit to the understanding of how much community, friendship and dedication matter, and I am so appreciative of the lessons they continue to teach me. So, it is wonderful to be back in Nepal with them at the start of the journey of 2019.
    Of course, each day in Nepal begins thinking of you, our retail customers, and what we can create that will bring you and your customers amazing, great selling, fair trade Nepali products. This year Austin and I are here together focused on practicality, up-cycling as many materials as possible while at the same time creating items that are long lasting, unique and affordable made with Nepali materials. It is sheer joy to work alongside our artisan partners here and watch their creative process unfold before us. We are so excited to share all the new items coming to fruition with you in the months to come!
    We cannot begin the New Year without the acknowledgement of our amazing staff who bring Ganesh Himal Trading to you every day, even while we are at work in Nepal. Eileen, Sarah, Michele and now Justin create the space for Austin and I to be in Nepal worry free, handling each day with such skill and dedication that we know you are in loving hands!
    So here’s to 2019! We hope 2018 was successful and full of great sales, story and connection. We can’t thank you enough for all of your support. Please let us know how we can help you in 2019 and know that the artisans look forward to a prosperous and exciting year together.
    NAMASTE,
    Denise & Austin

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  • Artisan Earthquake Relief Fund Update: Kirtipur Weaving Group Workshop is Complete!

    Artisan Earthquake Relief Fund Update: Kirtipur Weaving Group Workshop is Complete!

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    Artisan Earthquake Relief Fund Update: Kirtipur Weaving Group Workshop is Complete!

    [/fusion_title][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ alignment=”center” /][fusion_imageframe image_id=”58538″ style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” align=”none” lightbox=”no” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]https://dev.ganeshhimaltrading.com/wp-content/uploads/Weaving-workshop-sept-2018-2-1.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ alignment=”center” /][fusion_text]

    CCF is pleased to share the news that thanks to our generous donors like you, the Kirtipur Weaving Group’s earthquake resilient workshop has been built and is soon to be filled with looms, weavers and activity. The weavers of Kirtipur, near Kathmandu, had their looms in their homes before the April and May 2015 earthquakes but most of their homes were destroyed making it impossible to produce any weavings or earn needed income. CCF initially assisted them in rebuilding their homes then waited as they decided how they wanted to proceed in the future. After securing their homes and recovering a bit from the trauma of the earthquake the group determined that they wanted to have a weaving workshop where they could come together to weave.
    Sudha Maharjan(photo), with a masters in social work, now leads the group. Her mother Laxmi was the initial founder. Sudha remembers her mother saying to her daughters, “Wake up early and help me to weave if you want to get delicious lunch and pay your school fees”. So Sudha and her sister used to wake up at 4 am to weave before heading to school. Gradually, they started to try new techniques and affiliated themselves with a Fair Trade buyer. “We had nothing, but now we have our own homes, live a decent life by fulfilling all our wishes and provide employment opportunities to other weavers to uplift their living standard is a dream come true” adds Sudha.
    In the Kirtipur Weaving Group, there are 10 weavers and 10 women who warp the looms. They are very excited about their new workshop which is more spacious and has better lighting and airflow. The nearby toilet and store room are added benefits. The weavers look forward beginning to weave together in their new space after the October Dashain festival and in the future they hope to train new, younger weavers and hold workshops in this community space.

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  • The Nepali Manager Behind Ganesh Himal Trading

    The Nepali Manager Behind Ganesh Himal Trading

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    This is the woman who manages everything we do in Nepal! She knows all of the producers and helps them with the orders that come in every other month so that they know exactly what to make and when to deliver it by. This is written in her own words! I think it’s great. She’s an amazing woman and such an inspiration to other women around her! She helped to form the group that does all of the silk knit accessories and also works with the group that does the woven cotton (water pashmina) shawls. She was also at our son’s birth!
     
    This a transcript from a radio interview with Chunta that aired in 2011 on KYRS, Spokane, WA.
     
    Chunta: 
    I am originally from Tibet but have been living in Kathmandu, Nepal since age 7. I am 53 yrs old and married with a son who is 18 yrs.
     
    When I was small my family had a restaurant where the entire family used to work and we survived on it for a long time.But then with time business deteriorated after my father passed away when he was just 49 yrs old.  But my mother was very strong and she raised 5 of us on her own.
     
    My parents like most Tibetan families used to say that we should educate children to a level where they could read and write since we are from a business background and will not be working in offices. But still they had great expectations from us all and I think we all worked very hard in our studies to fulfill their dreams.On the whole we all have done quite well.
     
    I got to know Denise and Ric through my sister Pemala and her husband Namgyal who had done their shipping of goods from Nepal and also was one of their producers of bags, knit wear and clothing. I went with them to USA in 1994 for the first time and after spending 11 months with them they employed me as a manger from the Nepalese side.This work has been a great eye opener for me away from the restaurant.
     
    And after a year we stopped the restaurant and we all did different jobs. It was a great feeling when I got my first salary complete for myself.  I went to the monasteries to thank God for this and asked for his guidance that I might be able to prove myself through the years.
     
    I got married in 1998 and my husband is from India. But I have not been able to go there fully due to the good income  I receive as a manager for Ganesh Himal which we needed for my sons education. As years went by I got the idea of making the recycled knit accessories and this even raised my income and I was always very busy and happy too since I was making good use of my time and little education too.
     
    I was able to save some money by 2002 to buy a piece of land for my dream house.  Although I did borrow some money from the bank, Denise also helped me with some money for which I am thankful. My whole idea of saving money especially for a woman’s uncertain future came from Denise’s Mom Joyce. I think she is the first bead of my life’s necklace.Then there is a lot of inspiration I got from my sister and then Denise from their hard work . and dedication .
     
    This job and business I have has built my confidence, self respect and happiness too and has inspired me to help others too and talk to other women that they can be successful too.Then in 2007 I built my own house with a lot of hard work, adjustment with my plans to take care of my job, business and then son which completed in 2008  Now with the rent I pay for my sons part of the school fee. Once my sons education is complete I could use the money for my old age expenses. So I think with this work I have secured my future too. Save

    I do look forward to do better in the future and learn a lot from other working women and to encourage hard working women in ways how they could do better.

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  • Untitled post 30515

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    Featured Artisan: Padhma Creations

    [/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]

    Padhma Creation’s Story

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text]It almost seems too simple: a skein of wool saving a life.  For women of Nepal, beaten down by a complex and consuming social status, wool is a welcome reality.

    IMG_5300-300x225Hasroon is one of these women.  Hasroon was married at 18 and living a happy life with her infant son and husband . . . until her in-laws began demanding dowry money.  When Hasroon’s family couldn’t pay, she was beaten, humiliated, and ultimately covered with gasoline, pushed into the bathroom, and set on fire. Today, Hasroon works for Padhma Creations, a social enterprise founded by Kesang Yudron.   Padhma is the Sanskrit word for lotus, the flower that emerges pure and white from the muddy swamp.  Kesang believes it is a fitting symbol for the women artisans, like Hasroom, who work at Padhma Creations.  Padhma Creations gives Hasroon the training and job she needs to provide a secure and supportive life for her and her son.

    Padhma Creations partners with women from neighboring villages of Nepalgunj, Bardiya, and Surkhet in Nepal.  Wool is divided among their families who then make berets, scarves, socks, and other items in their homes or in shelters for women without homes. These woolens are then sold, and the money reinvested in programs to support the artisans and their children.  Kesang thought of the idea in 2000 when she and her father visited Nepalgunj, a border town between Nepal and India.

    “I remember being shocked at the sight of a 13-year-old village girl being rescued from trafficking by the police,” Kesang said. “The story was that a distant relative of hers had intentions of selling her to a brothel in Mumbai. This incident created a lasting and profound impression on my life.”

    Thousands of young Nepali women are trafficked to India every year for prostitution, child labor, and slavery, Kesang said.
    Others are victims of domestic abuse.  All have no jobs or paying skills. “Padhma Creations not only helps these women but saves their families from a life of spiraling poverty. [In addition,] we want to raise awareness about the lives of people in other countries,” Kesang said. “Our hope is to influence a new generation of empathetic young adults  who will be socially conscious consumers.”

    Or, like Kesang, they’ll become entrepreneurs investing in human life worldwide.

    -Article from St. Benedicts College

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]In addition to providing above market wages for the women, Padhma aims to provide women artisans with health, education and social welfare programs.  And so, since 2011, Ganesh Himal Trading has contributed $1.00 for every item made by the group to a Worker Development Fund.  A Worker’s Development Fund is a social benefit package which compliments already existing fair wages and steady employment. The money that is set aside gives women in the group the chance to decide how that money can be used to create additional financial support for the artisan group as a whole. Since 2011 the women have chosen to use a portion of the funds to provide scholarships for their children.  Originally, these scholarships were prioritized for the women most in need, but as the fund grew the number of recipients grew and now, all of the children of Padhma knitters are on scholarship (49 children as of 2015).  In 2015 alone, Ganesh Himal contributed $6,345.  Additional funds have been used for medical expenses, funeral costs and family emergencies.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Artisan Spotlights[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]

    Radika Zenda

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text]Radika is 34 years old and has been knitting for 3 years. She was introduced to the shelter project by friends in the neighborhood. Her income from knitting helps send her son to school since her husband does not support the family. In addition to knitting, she raises chickens.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]

    Meera Balmiki

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text]DSCN0418-2Meera is the master knitter at Padhma Creations. She travels to Kathmandu to learn the pattern from Pemala and then she trains the other knitters. At age 35, she has 1 brother who paid his own way through college, and 3 sisters, all of whom finished high school. Because of a tumor in her leg, Meera is unable to use a sewing machine, so she relies on her knitting skills to support herself and her family.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]

    Kesang Yudron

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text]DSCN0347-2Kesang Yudron first visited Nepalgunj as a high school student when her father wanted to train women of the area to knit.  A typical teenager, Kesang didn’t think much of the experience at the time.  After completing her accounting degree in Minnesota and working in a cubicle for a large company, however, she realized that she would rather serve her home community.   Inspired by the story of a 13 year old village girl being rescued from trafficking by the police in Nepagunj, Kesang founded Padhma Creations to provide women artisans with employm[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]

    Dhana Visht

    [/fusion_title][fusion_text]Meera is the master knitter at Padhma Creations. She travels to Kathmandu to learn the pattern from Pemala and then she trains the other knitters. At age 35, she has 1 brother who paid his own way through college, and 3 sisters, all of whom finished high school. Because of a tumor in her leg, Meera is unable to use a sewing machine, so she relies on her knitting skills to support herself and her family.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]

    A Small Sample of Padhma Creations Knitwear

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    See all of Padhma Creation’s Knits Here>

    (you must be logged-in to view)

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  • Untitled post 28627

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    ARTISAN SPOTLIGHT:

    Khlapsang Karpo Women Recycled Handcrafts

     img_8894

    Due to its remote location, Ganesh Himal Trading had to be creative with the raw materials used for products made by this group. All scraps of sari fabric and beads are transported on the backs of the villagers over a two day mountain trek to their community.  Lack of tools and electricity create another obstacle to producing products.  Determined to provide economic opportunity to women in this village following the devastating earthquake of April 2015,  Ganesh Himal Trading combined simple skill with beautiful detail to make this one of a  kind wearable art.

     
    Two days walk from any road lies the village of Sertung.  Ganesh Himal Trading’s owners walked through this village in the fall of 2015 during their survey of damage in the remote Northern regions of Dhading district following the April 2015 earthquakes.  During this visit they met a young woman who was the health care worker there and her husband.  Their village was so heavily damaged and they wanted to know if we could help them get some economic income to the women and children left in the village (Conscious Connections Foundation also provided blankets).
    “Namaste, I would like to thanks for order necklaces. Our women life story is  in Sertung women are  maximum uneducated but they are everyday hard working.   They do old type of farming and after planting they wait six month to get the crop.They have no [income generating] work. They are after earthquake live in small trap. This recycle necklace made them if you buy continue this necklace they get good incoming job.and help thier child study.”  -Yogendra
    The group name chosen by the women was “Khlapsang Karpo Women Recycled Handcrafts”, Khlapsang means “Good God” and Kharpo means “white”, this is the Tamang name for Ganesh Himal, the mountain whose shadow they live beneath. To start they are training about ten women and one man with others who are eager to be trained.  The women include: Chesang Tamang, Khasa Maya Tamang,  Tikhri Tamang, Lili Maya Bika, Heni Maya Tamang,  Kheti Maya Tamang, Bata Maya Tamang, Ruku Maya Tamang, Gyalmo Tamang, Mili Maya Tamang,Toni Maya Tamang, and Yogendra Tamang.
    Learn more about the Tamang people  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamang_people

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”dropshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Posts from the Past![/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_blog number_posts=”” offset=”” cat_slug=”” exclude_cats=”” title=”yes” title_link=”yes” thumbnail=”yes” excerpt=”yes” excerpt_length=”35″ meta_all=”yes” meta_author=”yes” meta_categories=”yes” meta_comments=”yes” meta_date=”yes” meta_link=”yes” meta_tags=”yes” paging=”yes” scrolling=”pagination” strip_html=”yes” blog_grid_columns=”3″ blog_grid_column_spacing=”40″ layout=”grid” class=”” id=””][/fusion_blog][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • The Photograph We Didn’t Get

    By Candi Smucker

    In western Nepal is the town of Nepalgunj, it is located a couple of miles north of the border with India. This is were we flew on Thursday afternoon.

    The flight from Kathmandu was in a 30 passenger prop plane of some sort (yes, I know, not enough info for some of you). We were in the air about an hour and had been told to sit on the right hand side of the plane if at all possible. When I boarded Denise was already seated and had saved me a window seat for which I am eternally grateful. The view of the Himalayans was worth the entire price of the ticket. The full hour was panorama of one grand peak after another.

    Nepalgunj is a smallish town (population still to be determined, no one seemed to know) that is flat, hot and humid with the tiniest of airports about five miles out of town. If they have 8 flights a day I would be surprised. Kesang met us at the airport with a van, we loaded in with our overnight bags and off we sped to the hotel on the other side of Nepalgunj.

    Kesang is a twenty-something Tibetan who has started Padhma Creations, a group of knitters affiliated with a shelter for abused or trafficked women. Kesang went to college in Minnesota and has now returned to Nepal to carry on her family tradition of assisting the women of Nepal gain higher economic independence. More on the family in a later report from an earlier day, these reports are going to be quite out-of-order.DSC_0143

    The main road to the hotel is full, really full, of motorcycles, bicycles, horse-drawn platform taxis, little mini-mini passenger taxis, bicycle rickshaws, pedestrians, freight trucks coming in from India, goats, chickens, cows and children. Oh, and potholes.

    We made it quite nicely to the hotel, checked-in, dumped our stuff and headed off across the street to the shelter home for a quick visit. It was dusk and as we sat and chatted with a few of the women (Kesang was super translator) the mosquitoes also came to greet us. Of course in an attempt to pack light for our overnight trip no one had insect repellent. The local pharmacy seemed to be out so the ladies at the shelter proceeded to light egg cartons to create smoke to keep them at bay. I am a mosquito magnet so that wasn’t really necessary for the rest of the group but I appreciated it.

    Then it was back across the street for a leisurely dinner at the hotel. Leisurely because it took an hour and a half for the food to arrive. I suspect they had to call the cook back in for this large crowd of North American women. It was a tasty vegetarian buffet once it arrived, not what we had actually ordered but very satisfying. And the beer, pappadams and conversation kept us occupied until the food arrived.

    The first thing the next morning we hopped on bicycle rickshaws and headed south to the border. There were two of us per rickshaw which may have been half a person too many. The morning was sunny and bright, not yet too warm, a pretty good morning for a drive to the border and on a bicycle rickshaw you are right in the middle of all the action with good views of the passing countryside.

    At the border is an arch. That and the border patrol let you know you have arrived. All the traffic flows freely between the two countries with the border patrol stopping an occasional vehicle for a brief inspection. Kathy, Joan and I have multiple entry visas for India but opted not to go across as it would have taken some time to get our border stamp. Everyone but us could freely cross the border. And we kind of stand out in a crowd.

    We stopped to visit the woman who manages the office affiliated with the women’s shelter. Her job is to provide support and assistance to people found being trafficked into India for labor, sex or organs. With the relatively loose border inspections we asked how these women (and some children) were noticed. It seems there is a pretty good network of rickshaw and bus drivers who will clue her in if they suspect something isn’t right.

    After this visit it was back on the rickshaws for the trip back into Nepalgunj and a return to the shelter. By the time we arrived they were all at work, sitting around the yard knitting mittens and stockings. Some of the women are living at the shelter and need employment, others are community women in need of work to supplement meager family income who come to the shelter to knit though sometimes they also knit at home. None arrived as knitters and Kesang has brought several of them to Kathmandu to learn and then return to teach others. The orders received for their knits from Ganesh Himal and a few others still do not keep them employed full-time. As we interviewed them and asked if they had any questions for us the only thing we heard was a request to please place more orders. They knit a colorful Christmas stocking that has been a best-selling product for Ganesh Himal. Denise says her goal now is to find ways to double her sales of these stockings. What are we going to do about that?

    DSC_0118

    This was our first visit with bunches of children around so out came the books we had toted halfway around the world. I sat on the sidewalk by the swing set and we all read books together. I left the books with the shelter manager and hope they become well-worn.

    After lunch (we ordered earlier) it was off to visit at the homes of five or six of the knitters a short walk from the hotel and shelter. These are simple homes, often six or seven people to a room within a compound of extended family members. Children were all over the place wanting their pictures taken and giggling like crazy when they got to see them. They also grow mushrooms which was fun to see.

    Our return flight was scheduled to leave at 4:55. At 4:10 (you already see the problem here) the bright, shiny, black, chrome-covered SUV with fancy lights taxi pulls in to take us to the airport. Nine of us plus the driver sardine into the vehicle and pray for the driver to start the car so we can roll down the windows and breathe. Off we go, plenty of time. We wind our way S-L-O-W-L-Y through all those things on the roads listed above. Finally, we make it to the other of side of town where the traffic thins out, the pot-holes mostly cease and the driver can pick up speed. It is now 4:30. Just as the speed increases a flapping sound starts. The driver pulls over. I assume something is wrong with the luggage on top of the car. Wrong. The fan belt has broken. It is now 4:35 and he has called for a replacement fan belt. This is not going to work. Sarah springs to action. From the open window she hollers at a passing van that we need to get to the airport fast. The van flips around and pulls in along side. We all leap from the car, Sarah jumps up and throws down all the bags on the top, we grab them and pile into the waiting van. Denise passes a 500 rupee note to the first driver and dives into the second car. Austin, Kesang and I are in the very back seat facing backwards. As the new driver floors it Austin shouts thank you to the SUV driver and he turns to look at us with the fan belt in his hand and smile on his face standing in front of the SUV with the hood up and waves. It’s the picture we didn’t get.

    We are still about a mile from the airport. Read Candi’s next post to find out if we ever made it!

  • Did I mention Nepal has a lot of stairs

    Ganesh Himal has begun our Artisan Tour in Nepal! Below, Candi Smucker, owner of two fair trade stores in California (Baksheesh) writes about her visit to The Association of Craft Producers.

    ACP headquarters are located in the suburbs of Kathmandu down a short, steep driveway that ends in a postage stamp sized parking area. No problems, we have trained, professional van drivers.

    The buildings cling to the side of the hillside, multi-leveled and a bit warren-like, beautiful decorated with pieces made from the artisans. There are felted rugs in the bathrooms, blocked curtains at the windows, terracotta light fixtures and colorful paintings on the ceiling.

    We met Meera, founder and executive director, in her office. The video equipment was set up and Sarah taped her presentation to us for future use of one sort or anything. Meera loves her work and gave us the history and stories of ACP.

    The tour began. We trooped up the stairs, down the stairs, across the walkways and all around to see the many divisions at work. About 80 people work at this complex, we may have met them all. Headquarters houses the administrative offices, a cafeteria, shipping, design and multiple production units, finishing and packaging units.

    First stop was at felting, where new samples of  felted jewelry was in process. The first group of women sat in a covered area on the rooftop sudsing the wool and rolling little cylinder beads in a wide array of colors.

    Then on to the next set of workrooms where two women where busy making prototypes of potential new products. Next came the ceramic pieces. Back down the stairs and across the wide central court yard. Under this court yard is a massive holding tank for rain water so they can provide much of the water needed for their felting and dyeing processes. The water used is all retained and the sludge removed.

    On the other side of the courtyard and into the next building we see the mounds of dyed yarn coming out of the drying ovens and the HUGE roller presses used to dry yards and yards of fabric when it’s too damp to dry outside in the courtyard.

    Now, please remember here that I am fully aware that the Baksheesh bags we give away in our stores are made here. I really do know that. But being fully engaged in the moment I had totally forgotten. At the top of the next set of stairs the door opens, I walk into a huge workroom covered, really covered, with silkscreened Baksheesh bags set out to dry. On the floor, all over the work tables, everywhere! Naturally, I had to burst into tears. Four silk screeners didn’t miss a beat while I stood there and cried. Joan took about 102 pictures, no exaggeration there. We namasted all over the place and I thanked them for the bags and they thanked me for the orders and I just cried some more. It was wonderful.

     

  • Power of 5 launched and Girls Scholarships get funded!

    While in Nepal in 2013, Ganesh Himal staff had the opportunity to meet with two recipients of the ACP Girl Child Education Fund, an girl scholarship fund at the Association for Craft Producers that Ganesh Himal has donated to for years. Sisters Heema, 16, and Heena, 10, had both received a scholarship for 3 years and loved school, but their scholarships were ending. Due to high demand for the program and lack of funds, ACP had to limit scholarships to no longer than 3 years for the children of their producers. Determined to extend Heema and Heena’s scholarships, we at Ganesh Himal each donated $5 with the dream that we could get 1000 people to do the same. The Power of 5 campaign was born.

    What can $5 do? It can buy you a coffee, or a hamburger. It can buy you a gallon of gas. Or, it can help a girl in Nepal attend school for 2 weeks. That means that for 10 days a young girl is reading, writing, learning with her friends, and stretching her imagination. What happens if she isn’t at school? She is three times more likely to be married before her 18th birthday. She stays at home, and the traditional cycle of exclusion that keeps girls disengaged from decision making continues. $5 helps a young girl battle the cycle of poverty.

    Now imagine if all of your friends gave $5. Then they asked all of their friends to donate $5? 10 friends donating $5 is a scholarship for one girl to go to school for 6 months! That’s a ripple–an ever-expanding body of people changing the lives of girls in Nepal. And the ripple doesn’t stop there. These girls each create their own ripples of change starting with their families, then their village, and even their country. When 10% more girls go to school, a country’s GDP increases an average of 3% according to the Council of Foreign Relations. That affects the world. The ripple is limitless, and it starts with $5. This is the Power of 5.

    Our goal is to sponsor at least 100 girls, or boys if in need, in Nepal for one more year of schooling through the ACP Child Education Fund. In order to do so, we need 2,000 people to donate $5. We’ve created beautiful bookmarks for you to use to collect donations. By asking for a $5 donation for each bookmark you place in your store, you not only help us reach our goal, but you start the discussion about why girls are such an amazing investment and about why they aren’t in school.

    There are two ways of creating a ripple:

    Personal Ripple– Place  bookmarks in your store and ask for a donation of $5 for each.Customers can get involved as individuals and feel good knowing that 100% of their donation is going towards the ACP Child Education Fund. Not only that, their donation is tax deductible through the Conscious Connections Foundation, a foundation started by the founders of Ganesh Himal Trading.

    Power of 5 Ripple–

    Encourage friends/regular customers/community members to take a packet of bookmarks (either 5, 15, or 30) to distribute for donations amongst their friends. If each person finds 5 friends who turn around and find 5 friends, then through networking, the ripple multiplies by the power of 5. You can use your store as the collection point, creating community and exposing new people to the world of Fair Trade and girl’s education.

    Join the Power of 5 campaign today. Here’s how…

    1) Request a packet of bookmarks via the Ganesh Himal website. www.ganeshhimaltrading.com If you want to participate in the Power of 5 Ripple then order multiple smaller packets; if a personal Ripple better suits your store, then order one large packet.

    2) We will issue you an invoice for the number of bookmarks you want and send them with your next order.

    3) You gather donations for the bookmarks and write a check to Conscious Connections Foundation and send it to PO Box 342 Spokane WA  for the amount of donations gathered. Please put  “donation for Power of 5”  in the memo line. The Power of 5 is a project of the Conscious Connections Foundation which is a 501©3 nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS. EIN #:471602190 and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

    4) CCF is all volunteer run and so is the program in Nepal so 100% of donations will go directly to sending children, who otherwise would not be able to attend, to school in Nepal. Our focus and priority is on sending girls to school but if girls are served and boys are in need we will sponsor them as well.  If each of us gives a little, it’s no longer pocket change but big change: JOIN THE POWER OF 5!

    Use these to generate donations for the scholarship fund AND raise awareness about the importance of educating girls!