Spinning cotton into balls at Womens Skills Development Project in Pokhara, Nepal. The WSDP was set up in 1975 as a non-profit, fair trade organization to help disadvantaged women in Nepal. (Craig Ferguson)
Providing opportunities to the most disadvantaged members of a society is one of the key goals for a lot of NGO’s globally. One of the more successful organizations working in this area is the Women’s Skills Development Organization (WSDO) based in Pokhara, Nepal. In operation since 1975, the organization which is also referred to as the Women’s Skills Development project has helped thousands of disabled, economically disadvantaged, abused, widowed, divorced and outcast women in rural Nepal. By providing them with free vocational skills training, and a job facility, the women are able to become self supportive.
The WSDO operates under the principles of fair trade. It’s handicraft center in Pokhara produces handmade bags, toys, cases and household accessories using production processes that minimize environmental impacts. Through the sourcing and use of local raw materials and eco-friendly dyes, all products that come out of the center are made in a sustainable fashion. Women of all ages who come to the center are provided with training in the manufacture and production of the goods. Skills learned range from material cutting, sewing, weaving and dying through to business management and English language training.
Measuring the pattern for clothing at Womens Skills Development Project in Pokhara, Nepal. The WSDP was set up in 1975 as a non-profit, fair trade organization to help disadvantaged women in Nepal. (Craig Ferguson)
A Nepali woman pours hot dye for cotton into a large container at the Womens Skills Development Project in Pokhara, Nepal. The WSDP was set up in 1975 as a non-profit, fair trade organization to help disadvantaged women in Nepal. (Craig Ferguson)
In addition to the production of handicrafts, 80% of which are exported, the WSDO boasts its own saving and credit program. Women are able to save money in interest bearing accounts as well as seek loans at nominal interest rates. Workers at the organization are also provided with a clothing allowance, 60 days paid maternity leave, free health checkups, education particularly on social issues and the environment, and educational scholarships for the daughters of the workers.
The WSDO center welcomes visitors and are open 6 days a week (closed Saturdays) from 10am to 5pm. The center is located in Srijana Chowk 8 in Pokhara. On site are areas for the production of the handicraft products as well as a retail store. All money earned goes directly to the workers.
I’ll leave you with a gallery featuring more photographs from the Women’s Skills Development Project.
