 Nepal
is one of the 5 poorest countries in the world. The average annual
income per family is about £116 but falls to just £22
for an "untouchable" family. Out of 100 untouchable women
97 are illiterate. Of its approximately 5.5 million "untouchable"
population, 90% live below poverty line.
  KTS
was established in 1983 and is registered as a charity in Nepal.
It was established to provide much needed educational and vocational
training to the most disadvantaged section of the population in
the Kumbeshwar area of Kathmandu. The indigenous people of this
area are Newars, many of whom still follow their traditional occupations
as street sweepers, butchers and farmers. It was established to
improve the educational and employment opportunities for the lowest
caste of the Newari community, who, to this day, are regarded as
untouchables and shunned by society at large. Although it was initially
funded by international charitable agencies, it now relies on its
own income and resources as it continues to provide its services
to improve the lives of a second generation.
 KTS
is one of the founder members of Fair Trade Group (www.fairtradegroupnepal.org)
(FTG) of Nepal. FTG members endeavour to help themselves by campaigning
for fairer trade and more ethical business practices.  KTS
operates an orphanage and day care centre, a primary school and
vocational training programmes. It aims to provide children and
young adults with a vocation that will allow them to support themselves.
It provides training in carpet weaving, carpentry and knitting.
KTS currently has approximately 500 pupils and benefits up to 5,000
families.
 
Over the past 20 years KTS has established a formidable reputation
for the quality of its product, particularly its magnificent hand-made
rugs. These rugs are made from pure Tibetan sheep wool, which is
hand-washed, hand-spun and hand-dyed. This process gives the yarn
durability and softness, a superb warmth and truly luxurious feel.
This yarn is then painstakingly hand-woven by skilled craftsmen
and craftswomen into beautiful design, unique to KTS that will enhance
any home or office. They offer remarkable value against other rugs
of comparable quality. You can even have a rug made to your own
design.
Comolongmo
seeks to assist KTS in its aim to reach out further into the community
by expanding the market for its products in Europe. Customers can
rest assured in the knowledge that, not only are they purchasing
a rug of the highest quality at a very competitive price, but they
are also helping one of the most disadvantaged of communities to
help themselves out of poverty. |
