Fostering the Community
Joining hands - Fostering the community
For centuries women in the Himalayas have been making warm, woolen clothing to cope with the cold, mountainous climate of their homes. The artisans of Naari, having been raised in this wool-working tradition, learned knitting and weaving from their mothers. Today they are working with professional designers joining their traditional patterns and stitches with contemporary concepts to create fashionable products.
Relying on local materials, the artisans make various goods using wool in the natural colors found the region. Indian-made yarns, especially lambs’ hair, are used as well. The members of Himalayan Naari are creating an exquisite range of knitted and woven blankets, shawls, scarves, hats and other clothing items. Due to the beauty and quality of their craft, business is growing steadily and more local artisans continue to join the project.
A room of one's own
Women's Center
Himalayan Naari friends have successfully raised funds through a crowd-sourcing campaign to build a Women's Center for the artisans of Chaukori. Construction was completed in May, 2017. This center serves as a workshop, meeting space and also as a vibrant community hub.
Revival of Heritage Tea Cultivation
Chaukori Heritage Tea Nursery
In 2018, the purchase of land adjacent to the Himalayan Naari Women's Center provided the opportunity for several livelihood initiatives. By salvaging the nurturing 200 abandoned tea plants, the women started the Chaukori Heritage Tea Nursery. The tea of this region, known as Berinag tea was historically a highly valued and tasty brew. It was made from the leaves of a wild plant which once grew in many localities in the Himalayas. It is now only grown in Chaukori which was famous for its tea gardens established by the British. In 2019, the women harvested their first tea crop. They are exploring this tea as a potential source of revenue.
Community Gardens
in 2018, in addition to the Tea Nursery, the women of Naari reclaimed land to be used for mixed farming. They have planted several acres of community gardens to increase local vegetable production. This land is intended to supplement food for the students of HIC and the women of Himalayan Naari. However, farming in this area is challenging because of poor soil, erosion, weather and pests.
The community is in a learning phase as it struggles to reclaim the farm. They are currently building poly houses on the land to protect the crops and to extend the growing season.
No More Knitting in the Dark
Through a partnership with SoLight Designs and Himalayan Education Foundation, solar lights are provided to all Naari and Maati artisans and also to wool-workers in both communities. These sustainable and economical lights are helping them cope with the erratic power supply in the hills.