Fair trade rugs

The rug is produced with Kumbeshwar, a founder member of Fair Trade Nepal. Kumbeshwar is a technical school in Kathmandu and was set up by the Khadgi family who are from the lowest caste in Nepal. The traditional role of this caste is cleaners and waste disposal. They made a fertiliser business from this waste and it grew into a large and profitable business. In 1983 the family set about using their wealth to help the rest of their caste out of poverty and set up a weaving school recruiting disadvantaged adults to their adult education and support centre.

As well as given fair wages, their weavers are taught literacy and skills. They believe education is the way out of poverty. They train adults and with profits from the sales of the rugs support a large school of 260 with well trained and well paid teachers and free books and meals. They also fund an orphanage for 25 children. 

How is the rug made?

This rug was produced entirely by hand using age old and natural Tibetan carpet making techniques. It is made from bales of pure Tibetan wool. It is hand spun into thread, hand dyed with natural and non-polluting dyes, and then hand-knotted on their looms into carpet.

Node have come from a background in digital imaging and they worked closely with all the artists and the weavers to find the best possible ways to convert the digital design into rugs woven on the loom using graphs. 

This rug is 175 cm long and 115 cm wide. You can request a preferred size and specify a change in colours if desired. 
It comes complete with a wooden dowel which allows it to be hung on a wall. This can easily be slid out if the rug is to be used as a floor covering. 
Please note that the lead time is around 6 weeks and there is a no return policy as it's made on order. 

For more info and purchase please head to our online store or use the form below to get in touch.