KTC, Nepal

Those born into the 'pode' caste in Nepal are expected to clean the sewers and streets of the areas inhabited by higher castes. In return, they paid a pittance - sometimes no more than scraps of left-over food.

Meet our KTC knitters

Laxmi, one of our KTC producers, holding up a sweater she knitted

The Kumbeshwar Technical Centre (KTC) was originally set up to help ‘pode’ people with children’s and adult literacy classes and loans. That’s why People Tree works with KTC, to provide training and design support. Hand knitting not only makes uniquely crafted and beautiful products, it also provides women with the opportunity to work that knitting by machine takes away.

In the six years since People Tree became involved with KTC, the group of knitters and dyers has grown from 15 to over 240. OR?! Together we help over 1000 knitters in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, to earn a fair price and receive medical and social support. Profits from Fair Trade are ploughed back into the community including running a fabulous school for 250 underprivileged children and an orphanage.

The effect has spread throughout the entire pode community, with even those who remain as street sweepers becoming more aware of their rights, and starting to charge a proper fee for their service.

One knitter, Laxmi, describes it like this:

"People Tree's orders are vital to KTC, to me, my family, my colleagues and grass-roots female producers in my country. Fair Trade orders empower these people socially and economically and mean we can educate ourselves and our children. Knowing this inspires me to work hard. I wish and pray for the success of Fair Trade fashion and People Tree."