KEEP’ Kriayt’s Education & Employment Project
The primary focus of Kriayt Social Business is developing sustainable education and employment programs for Women in Nepal. The original program was established in 2013.
To finance village programs the first handicraft group was formed in August 2013 with 6 women being trained in sewing and crochet and subsequently employed in the manufacture of Kriayt products utilising these skills. It was to be a 6 month project for them to open a small shop in the tourist area to sell their items.But the training program grew to train 22 women per month in many areas of handicraft and life skills.
The women followed on with business & job skills training if they chose – for job placement within their communities. By 2019 we had trained nearly 2000 women in Nepal. By 2026 the training program has met over 3600 women. Not just in handicrafts but in a variety of skills to gain employment. Even how to use washing machines & irons to work in Housekeeping.
With Nepal being on the border with India it was discovered that many backpackers were leaving behind their clothing and trekking items after being in Nepal then heading to the warmer climate in India. Items were being left in hotel rooms, but wealthy hotel owners were gaining the items. We place clothing collection baskets in prime locations requesting the donations so the items can be sent to poorer communities and reach people in need. Kriayt Community Leaders wash and mend any items and distribute regularly to the village or to the poorer communities in Pokhara.
Since the beginning of this clothing program the Kriayt Leaders have sent many packages village bound.
In April 2015 a devastating earthquake hit Nepal killing nearly 9,000 people and over 22,000 were injured. Kriayt Community Leaders were able to take action within hours of the quake. With a good supply of clothing when the Earthquake hit Kriayt Community Leaders were able to distribute 100’s of sets of clothing and shoes to people that had lost everything. The packages sent to the village also included Sleeping bags, tents and thermal clothing.
Once emergency action had been taken our 2nd action after the Earthquake in Nepal was to provide temporary shelter to people needing to rebuild their homes. We worked with company in Kathmandu called Portal Shelter who supplied materials and instruction on building temporary shelters. Kriayt raised funding to buy the Porta shelters and local group EnterNepal US transported them to remote forgotten villages and helped with the building of them onsite. At that point in time it was not safe for women to travel on their own, so teamwork with EnterNepal a group of local young men was vital. We help a sponsorship drive as each Portashelter cost $130AU and housed a family of 8. These provided a safe place to live allowing each family time to thoughtfully rebuild. All the materials used to construct Portal Shelters could be reused to build more permanent homes.
Kriayt Social Business proudly funded these homes . MyCause Fundraising and sponsors such as Nikki Smith 100km walk , Hope for Himalayan kids, ACU Choir & Noosa District School also contributed and enabled us to build 150 houses.
Fundraising happened on a My Cause page and profits from the Kriayt Handicraft group started immediate buying of Food, cooking pots, tarpaulins, ropes and blankets. Our stored clothes were packed up and 4WD vehicles were sent to remote villages every few days. The men heading our 4WD team also took shelters to remote villages and helping to erect the shelters.
Some of the villages we touched have not received Earthquake aid besides us to this day. We are proud to report that the cleaning and rebuilding happened with a community spirit of helping each other one by one.
Our ongoing project is sponsoring the cost of food and education for ‘At Risk Women’ and children. Remembering it is the lack of these two life necessities that result in children being placed in Orphanages. Educating Children is our #1 goal in everything we do.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO 1. Our Story 2. Our Projects 3. Our Programs 4. Social Business 5. Handicraft Group